Atlanta Braves Fall Short, But Still Win Series Against Nationals

The Atlanta Braves rallied late in the game but fell short to the Nationals by a run. Matt Adams had a tough day at the plate in his Braves debut but so did most as Strasburg was dealing on the mound.

On a nice day, compared to last night’s game that had a rain delay, the Atlanta Braves looked to sweep the division-leader. The Braves came into the game with a 18-22 record and already took the first 2 games in the series against Washington. This just shows how much the team has improved.

Both starting pitchers performed well today, each going at least 7 innings. The Nationals threatened early in the first inning when Wilmer Difo tripled to deep center but couldn’t score. Their first run came in the 2nd inning when Daniel Murphy sent one over right field just in front of the Chop House. The fan who caught the ball eventually threw it back.

The Braves offense, however, had a slow start, not getting a hit (or base runner) until the 3rd inning when PITCHER  Jaime Garcia doubled to left. Before that, the Nationals actually scored 2 unearned runs which was made possible because of 2 errors committed by the Braves.

The first came from Nick Markakis which allowed Trea Turner to safely reach 2nd base. The next one came when Garcia was trying to field the ball but looked up too early and that allowed another runner. Instead of having what could’ve, and should’ve, been 2 outs, it was no outs with runners at first and third. Bryce Harper would then single in a run, followed by a Ryan Zimmerman double-play that scored another run.

Braves Rally

When I say it was a quiet day from the Braves’ offense, I mean it. Stephen Strasburg struck out 11 batters, but Jaime Garcia did his best to keep the game close, striking out 8 batters for his day.

In the bottom of the 8th, Rio Ruiz drew a walk, followed by a single from Ender Inciarte. On a 2-2 count, Dansby Swanson, who has been great lately, delivered a 2-run double to deep right.

Swanson actually struck out 3 times before this but remained determined. This took Strasburg out of the game, but that was probably the last batter he would face either way with 118 pitches thrown total. Markakis would strike out to end the inning.

Luke Jackson made quick work of the Nationals in the 9th, as he has this series, so that the Braves could get back on the offense. Leading off, Matt Kemp singled right-center.

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This would bring up Matt Adams, who was having bad luck in his debut for Atlanta. This was a chance for him to turn it around and be the hero of the day, sadly, it was the complete opposite. He lined one right to Zimmerman, allowing the Nationals’ first-basemen to double-up Kemp, who was already too far from the base. Kurt Suzuki then popped up to end the game.

The Nationals avoided the sweep.

It could be argued if the Braves didn’t commit the 2 errors, Braves would’ve beat them 2-1. Maybe, maybe not. However, this was just the Braves’ 3rd lost in their last 10 games and is still 2nd in the division standings, so there is still reason to remain hopeful.

Side Note: Happy Birthday to former Braves manager and Hall-of-Famer Bobby Cox who turns 76 today.

A lot happened this weekend, many positive. Swanson is continuing to get better and has moved back into the 2nd-spot in the lineup. We got to see more of Rio Ruiz who has been doing well. The bullpen hasn’t  given up a hit in 11.2 innings after Jackson threw a solid 9th. Braves got a good sub in Adams until Freddie Freeman returns. Today was just a rough day, hopefully he can turn it around tomorrow when the Braves take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Next: Gwinnett’s Changing Their Name

Mike Foltynewicz gets the start tomorrow against Gerrit Cole, game starts at 7:35 PM.