Atlanta Braves R.A. Dickey Was Solid On Wednesday, But Not Good Enough…Braves Swept By Nats

Braves vs Nationals square off in game three Thursday night

After getting their record to 6-6 on Monday night — the first time .500 (other than 0-0) since 2015 — The Atlanta Braves get swept by the Washington Nationals and fall to 6-9 for the 2017 season.

The Braves didn’t play bad in two of three games, but the Nationals were able to get the big hits while the Braves didn’t.

Washington sent Stephen Strasburg to the mound for his fourth start of the early season.  The new look Strasburg — has a beard and is pitching all the time from the stretch — was able to go seven strong innings, giving up six hits, two runs, two walks and had 10 strikeouts.

Strasburg defense helped him out a couple times.  Especially in the 7th inning when Anthony Rendon dives to his right, makes the grab and then makes the throw to first to rob Adonis Garcia.  It was an outstanding play.

“We had three great defense plays against us, which could have been multiple runs,” manager Brian Snitker told reports after the game.  “Those are runs right there.  Just inches away.”

Okay, enough about them!

R.A. Dickey pitched really well for the Braves on Wednesday night…his third start of the season.  He matched toe-to-toe with Strasburg, but the offense just couldn’t pick him up.  The 42-year-old went seven innings, gave up three hits, three runs, two walks and three strikeouts.  The knuckleball really moves when it’s warm outside.  Expect more of this as the weather heats up.

Both Teams Score In The 2nd

Ryan Zimmerman freakin destroyed the Braves tonight…and it seemed like the entire series.

He led off the inning in the 2nd with a double.  Rendon walked to put runners on first and second base.  Matt Wieters hit a line drive to center which was caught by Ender Inciarte, but moved Zimmerman to third.  Michael Taylor followed that with another fly ball to center that scored Zimmerman.  Nats up 1-0

The Braves got things going in the bottom of the second when Nick Markakis singled to center field.  Brandon Phillips followed Markakis with his own single.  Jace Peterson then walked to load the bases with no outs.  I really thought the Braves could do something here.

Catcher Kurt Suzuki then struck out.  Okay, one out, still bases loaded….but Dickey is now at the plate.

Dickey swings and the ball hits the bat!  A little slow dribbler went to the Nationals shortstop.  He threw Dickey out at first, but the run scored!  Dickey’s 14th RBI of his 15-year career and third of the season!  Braves tie the game 1-1

Braves Get To Strasburg In The 4th

Phillips doubled with one out in the bottom of the 4th inning to get things going for Atlanta.  Peterson followed that with a single.

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With one out and our pitcher due up next — though he has three RBI’s, we probably don’t want him up in a crucial at-bat (though some would argue he’s better than our bench) — Suzuki was able to get a hold of a pitch to drive to right-center field.  The sac fly scored Phillips.  Braves take a 2-1 lead

Dickey was cruising through the Washington lineup and looking extremely strong on the hill.  Actually worth the $8M the Braves are giving up this year.

But then came the 6th inning.

Another Ump Call Costs Us Big Time

Top of the 6th inning, Dickey still getting guys out…quickly gets Adam Eaton and Wilmer Difo to ground out.  Two outs on four pitches.  Okay, cool.

Bryce Harper now up to the plate.  Dickey makes solid pitches throughout this at-bat, but the pitch everyone can’t stop talking about was the 3-1 pitch.

Dickey threw, what looked like strike two, a great pitch low and a little inside.  On a 3-1 pitch, home plate umpire Fieldin Culbreth called ball four.

Truly, I think if Suzuki would have framed the pitch just a little better, Culbreth would have called it a strike.

Man, that looked good.  Here’s more evidence that pitch was a strike.

You never know what would have happened on that — suppose to be — 2-2 pitch, we can play the what if game forever.

“That’s the life of that pitch,” Snitker said after the game.  “I think it’s something he’ll just have to live with.”

What hurt us is the next batter.  That Zimmerman guy again.  He destroys the second pitch he saw for a two-run bomb.  Nats up 3-2.

Atlanta’s bullpen pitched well on Wednesday.  Jose Ramirez gave up a walk and Eric O’Flaherty a base hit, but Arodys Vizcaino came in to clean up the mess.

Freddie Freeman, Matt Kemp and Inciarte all went 0-fer at the plate…0-13 with six strikeouts.

Next: Braves Prospects Mike Soroka and Kolby Allard Give Their Takes

We move on, though.  Braves currently sit at 6-9 on 4-20 day.  We head to Philadelphia now to take on the Phillies in the weekend series.