Atlanta Braves’ youngsters attack the Chicago Cubs and win 5-1

Max Fried Picks Up His 1st Win As The Atlanta Braves’ Youngsters Tease What’s To Come In The Future

The Atlanta Braves lately have had a lot of series where they had to win the final game to avoid a sweep and Sunday’s game was the same. Max Fried made his first major league start after appearing in 4 games out of the bullpen last month and he did great. In 5 innings, Fried gave up 1 run over 4 hits and striking out 4.

Atlanta got their offense started early in the first inning against Mike Montgomery.

Ozzie Albies laced a single into right before moving to 3rd on a hit from Freddie Freeman. Albies soon scored on a fly out from Matt Kemp for the 1st run.

In the bottom of the first, Fried got through the Cubs on just 10 pitches! 10! The first 2 batters, Ben Zobrist and Albert Almora Jr., both grounded to the pitcher.

Next was Kris Bryant, who the Braves have kind of shut down for most of this series. On 1 pitch, he shot one to short where Dansby Swanson made a big jump to make the out.

Pain In The Game

In the 2nd, Fried struck out Anthony Rizzo for his first K of the game. Javier Baez was later walked but got picked off trying to steal 2nd.  He was slow to get up following the play after his face went right into Albies’ knee.

The out proved to be vital, as Ian Happ launched a no-doubter to center to tie the game.

Baez stayed in the game but eventually exited the 3rd inning with one out.

In the 4th, the Braves picked up the offense again with a lead-off double from Freeman. Kemp hit another sacrifice fly to move Freeman over before Nick Markakis drew a walk.

With 2 on, Swanson lined a single to break the tie. Rio Ruiz followed after with his own RBI single to give the Braves a 3-1 lead.

Max Fried Keeping It Cool

The Braves and Max Fried, were cruising up into the 5th when the Cubs decided to threaten again.

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Happ hit a lead-off single to start it off before Jason Heyward grounded into a fielder’s choice. After striking out Rene Rivera, Fried allowed a walk to pinch-hitting Jon Jay.

Zobrist then reached on an infield single to load the bases but a ground-out from Almora Jr. ended the threat.

The Braves bullpen came through to preserve Fried’s win, pitching 4 innings of scoreless relief.

For the 6th, the Braves sent out AJ Minter to face the Cubs’ 3-4-5 hitters and he pitched gracefully. After getting Bryant to fly out, Minter struck out the last 2 to end the inning.

In the top of the 9th, the Braves added some insurance runs off of Felix Pena.

Markakis lead off with a single before Swanson bounced a ground-rule double to deep left. Rio Ruiz brought them home with a single putting the Braves up 5-1.

After Sam Freeman and Jose Ramirez pitched the 7th and 8th, Arodys Vizcaino came on to close out the win non-save situation. A ground-out, a line-out and strikeout would do it as the Braves snap the Cubs’ 6-game win streak and avoided the sweep.

The Kids

The Braves’ rookie players put in the work throughout the series and especially on Sunday. Max Fried pitched a 1-run game and earned his 1st big-league win.

Albies had 6 hits during the series, Ruiz had 4 RBIs, while Swanson has been almost a completely different player since coming back from AAA.

Next: The Atlanta Braves Are Moving

Atlanta now starts a home series against the Texas Rangers for 3 games. R.A. Dickey gets the 1st start at 7:35 pm ET.