Suzuki Homers Twice in Return to Oakland as Atlanta Braves Win 4-3

Kurt Suzuki’s 12th inning homer was the deciding factor in the Atlanta Braves win over Oakland after Jim Johnson nearly lost the game

What a nail-biting game! A game that looked like an easy win for the Atlanta Braves through the first 6 innings, quickly changed after Julio Teheran faltered in the 7th.

The Braves lost the lead twice but Kurt Suzuki played hero in his return to Oakland hitting 2 important home-runs while Ender Inciarte made an incredible sliding catch that saved the game.  We also found out Inciarte is going to the All-Star game in Miami!

Leading off in the 2nd, Suzuki launched a no-doubter to left for his first homer of the day, giving the Braves the 1-0 lead. Suzuki played for the Oakland Athletics from 2007 to 2012, and again in 2013.

After that, Danny Santana drew a walk and stole second. Initially called out, the Braves successfully challenged to reverse the call.

Johan Camargo then moved him to 3rd before Inciarte drove him in for run #2. Inciarte chopped the ball to first which bounced past Yonder Alonso down the line into the outfield.

The Fall Of Teheran

Teheran was cruising and looked like he for sure would get the win, striking out 8 while only giving up 1 hit in those first 6 innings.

However, it became a different game for Teheran after he gave up a solo home-run Khris Davis. It seemed like the homer knocked him off his game.

After getting Alonso to ground out, Franklin Barreto reached on an infield single and stole 2nd. Teheran then gave up back-to-back walks to Bruce Maxwell and Jaycob Brugman to load the bases.

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Jason Motte would come in to take over getting Adam Rosales to fly out to center. This allowed Barreto to come home and tie the game. Teheran, getting a no-decision, smacked his glove on the ground and to the wall in frustration.

Both sides would go quiet for the rest of regular play, eventually going overtime.

Atlanta threatened in the 10th when Johan Camargo hit a 2-out double to right. A wild pitch moved Camargo to 3rd but Dansby Swanson flied out to end the inning.

An inning later, with 2 outs again, Nick Markakis would draw a walk. On the very next pitch, Matt Kemp sent a double to deep center that was inches from being a home-run (also inches from being caught) bringing home Markakis for the lead.

Jim Johnson Bad

With the lead, Jim Johnson was called to close out the game. That didn’t happen. He walked both Davis and Alonso to start the inning. He managed to get Barreto to strike out but gave up a RBI single to Maxwell, blowing the save. Brugnan was then intentionally walked to load the bases.

What happened after showed why Inciarte won a Gold Glove last season and is part of why he is going to the All-Star game next week. Rosales hit a fly ball that

could’ve

would’ve scored the walk-off run for the A’s had it not been for our center-fielder. Inciarte, running in, made a clutch sliding catch before immediately getting up to throw it back to Johnson, who was already locked on Alonso at 3rd.

This indeed saved the game for the Braves as Rajai Davis would strike out to end the inning, and Johnson escaped with ONLY a blown save.

Suzuki Wins it

Top of the 12th inning, Suzuki lead off for the 3rd time of the game and did exactly what he did the 1st time around.  On a 3-1 count, Suzuki blasted another no-doubter off to left (almost the same exact area that he sent the first one) for the go-ahead run.

This would be the Braves 3rd and final lead of the day, as Arodys Vizcaino would come on to compete the save. 4 hrs 11 mins later, the Braves win 4-3 and complete a 3-game sweep of the A’s.

Next: The Braves Signed 4 Players In First Day Of IFA Signings

The Braves now head home and have an off-day tomorrow before taking on the Astros for Independence Day. Sean Newcomb is set to take on Brad Peacock at 7:35pm.