Atlanta Braves power out the 2017 season with 8-5 win
By John Le
A wild season has finally come to a close as the Atlanta Braves pull a comeback 8-5 win to avoid a sweep and end the season on a positive note.
We may not have been ready but the Atlanta Braves‘ 2017 season is finally over. It’s not how we wanted to go nor how when we wanted it to end but it was a fun, wild ride with a lot of potential to build on next year.
Max Fried had a great game as he had a career-high in strikeouts with 7 over 4.1 innings, including a run of 5 in a row. The young pitcher will end his year on a strong note as he looks to be a part of the rotation (or bullpen) in 2018.
The Braves struck first in the 3rd inning when Ozzie Albies started it off with a double. Kurt Suzuki then smacked one to deep left for a 2-run homer. Then, Freddie Freeman knocked one to right for a freaking triple! Freeman soon came home on a ground-out from Nick Markakis. Braves up 3-0.
Fried had the most trouble in the 5th when he gave up consecutive hits to Tyler Moore, Dee Gordon, and Giancarlo Stanton. This brought in the Marlins their 1st run, followed by a grounder by Marcell Ozuna that brought in another.
An infield hit by Christian Yelich and throwing error by Dansby Swanson tied the game and ended Fried’s day – obviously for a matter not entirely of his doing, though it seemed that the Marlins were figuring him out.
Jason Motte came in for relief and got JT Realmuto to ground out. However that drove in Yelich and the Marlins took the lead: 4-3 after 5.
The Braves Retaliate
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Miami’s lead would be short-lived as the Braves struck back immediately. Dansby Swanson lead off with a single, followed by a Jace Peterson. Micah Johnson moved the runners over on a sacrifice. Another grounder by Ozzie Albies got the tying run.
The BIG inning came in the 7th after 2 back-to-back singles from Nick Markakis and Lane Adams. Swanson then clipped a single up the middle for the go-ahead run, bring Markakis around.
Adonis Garcia – Yes, that’s right – came out to pinch-hit for Peterson and you probably thought this meant a wasted spot. Ha-ha nope!
With a 2-1 count, Garcia belted a 81 mph change-up for a big home-run off the “home-run sculpture.” Braves lead 8-4.
Jim Johnson would give up a solo homer to Ozuna in the 7th but at this point, it’s okay, it’s almost tradition now. At least he managed to keep Giancarlo Stanton in the yard, as he had previously grounded out. After 2 outs – and another runner on via walk – A.J. Minter cleaned that up by striking out Justin Bour.
Bottom of the 9th, leading off, Stanton had one more chance to reach the 60 home-runs mark. However, Braves’ closer Arodys Vizcaino had other plans. 3 foul balls and a final curve ball strike had Stanton swingin’-n-missin’.
The home crowd did give the HR leader a much deserving standing ovation afterwards. It also may have been his final at-bat for the Marlins, but that’s a topic for them to sort out.
Vizcaino followed up with back-to-back fly outs from Ozuna and Yelich to finish the game. Braves win 8-5!
*Ender Inciarte eventually entered the game in the 7th to finish it out in center.*
The Atlanta Braves end 2017 with a 72-90 win-loss record and will have the 8th pick overall in the 2018 draft.
What a year, a lot of stressful and upsetting moments but also a lot of amazing memories from the Braves.
Next: Live In The Home Of A Legend
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