Atlanta Braves Can’t Answer Phillies, Lose on Another Walk-Off

The Atlanta Braves struggled defensively all day, allowing wild pitches, passed balls and infield singles.

This has been a frustrating series to watch. After losing the 1st two games, the Atlanta Braves looked to split the series. However, wild pitches by R.A. Dickey and passed balls by Kurt Suzuki really hurt the Braves in the game.

The Braves could’ve had their first run in the very first inning with two outs. Though, with Ender Inciarte and Matt Adams on at 1st and 2nd, Nick Markakis grounded one to short.

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When the ball reached Freddy Galvis, Braves 3rd-base coach, Ron Washington had waved Inciarte home; but made a late stop sign as Galvis turned his attention towards Ender.

At that point, Inciarte was already looking down and dashing towards home, and he got tagged at home to end the inning.

In the 4th, Odubel Herrera reached on a bunt single before moving to 2nd on a wild pitch by Dickey. He then reached 3rd on a Maikel Franco ground ball. Freddie Freeman had fielded the ball and threw it to Matt Adams, who then threw it back to turn a double play but the ball came in late.

With 2 outs, Suzuki allowed a passed ball which scored Herrera, Phillies lead 1-0.

Herrera reached on another bunt single in the 6th inning, followed by a walk to Franco. Then on a Dickey wild pitch, Herrera ran to 3rd which was called safe. The Braves immediately challenged the call and from the replay, it looked like Freeman nabbed Herrera when he slid off the base. However, the umpires said the call stays.

Herrera then tried to come home when Suzuki allowed another passed ball but managed to toss it back to Dickey to get Herrera for the final out.

Chance After Chance

The Braves had another chance to score in the 7th when Adams and Markakis lead off with back-to-back singles. Looking good right?

Suzuki flew out for the 1st out, moving the runners over. Okay cool.

Next thing you know, Phillies’ starter Vince Velasquez got both Johan Camargo and Sean Rodriguez to strike out to end the threat.

It wasn’t until the 8th inning where the Braves scored their 1st run. Pinch-hitting, Danny Santana hit one to center to start it off. A wild pitch from Luis Garcia – the first from the Phillies side – allowed Santana to move to 2nd.

After Inciarte sacrificed to put Santana at 3rd, Brandon Phillips grounded a ball that became a fielder’s choice to home. Luckily, the throw from Cesar Hernandez went away from the catcher allowing Santana to score safely. Tie game.

Bullpen Implosion

Even though defensively, the Braves were a mess, Dickey managed to still have a good outing.

The bullpen however just added to the struggle. Jim Johnson came out in the 8th –whaaa!?– for pitching duties and it wasn’t pretty. First, Aaron Altherr reached 1st on an error by Adams. He then moved to 2nd on a wild pitch by Johnson.

-sigh-

Johnson managed to get Nick Williams to ground out but then walked Tommy Joseph before getting replaced by Rex Brothers. Brothers struck out the next 2 to end the inning.

Brothers went on to pitch the 9th innings but gave up a lead-off double to Andrew Knapp and was replaced by Akeel Morris.

Morris didn’t fare too well either, walking Ty Kelly and allowing a bunt single from Cesar Hernandez. With bases loaded -and no outs- , Freddy Galvis laced a single to right and it was game over. Braves lose the 3rd game of the series, 2-1.

The Braves and Phillies play the series finale tomorrow at 12:35 PM as Mike Foltynewicz do battle against Nick Pivetta.

Next: John Schuerholz Is An Immortal

And congrats to John Schuerholz for being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame from Tomahawk Take!