One Horrible Inning and The Pittsburg Pirates Take Down The Atlanta Braves 5-3

Braves Falter Because Of 6th Inning

The Atlanta Braves took on the Pittsburg Pirates on Tuesday night in game one of this three game series.  The Braves had their opportunities to win this ball game, but couldn’t get that big hit when they needed it.  This is the fifth time in 2016 that the Pirates and Braves have met, Pirates are now 4-1 against us.

Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz pitched very well through five innings, but then that damn 6th inning happened.  It all started with a leadoff walk…how many times does that happen!

This was the next play of the 6th inning.  Jace Peterson was able to stick with the sharp grounder to second and quickly gathered himself to make the play at first.  The call on the field was that Gregory Polanco was out at first, but the Pirates challenged the play.

I’ve watched this play so many times now.  After watching that slo-mo shot at :55 seconds into the video, my conclusion is that he’s definitely out.  Pause the video at :56 seconds, the ball is in Freddie Freeman‘s glove and Polanco’s foot is not on the bag.

Luckily, we actually got a call our way and the umps called him out!

After this play/call the Pirates got a single, another single and a double…Folty’s then out of the game.  Pirates up 3-2.

Jose Ramirez replaced Folty and was able to get an out, but then gave up a single to Adam Frazier that scored two more runs.  Pirates up 5-2.

Braves Offense

Atlanta’s offense had their opportunities tonight.  They had 10 total hits and four walks on Tuesday, but the Braves were able to score only three runs — one of which came in the 8th inning when Nick Markakis hit a solo-homer.

The Braves had at least one runner in scoring position in every inning except the bottom of the 6th inning.  To only score two runs when that many runners were in position is crazy.  Also, it’s not like the Braves got these runners into scoring position when the pitching spot kept coming up, it was Freeman or newly acquired outfielder Matt Kemp.

Freeman went 0-5 with three strikeouts and left six runners on base. Kemp went 0-4 with a walk and two strikeouts.  He left five runners on base.  All in all, the Braves left 20 guys on base.

Markakis was the obvious star of the night for the offense.  He went 2-4 with a homer and a single in the 5th inning that scored a run.

Any Bright Spot?

A bright spot on Tuesday for me came from the bullpen and it was Ryan Weber.  He pitched two innings.  He gave up no runs, no hits, no walks.  Pretty impressive night for a guy that’s probably being sent back down to Gwinnett tomorrow.

It was announced after the game that Braves will call up Rob Whalen from Gwinnett to start for the Braves on Wednesday.