Atlanta Braves scrape by 6-5 in make-up game with Cubs

Before the Braves host the Cubs for a three game series at home this week, Atlanta had to fly to Chicago to makeup a game cancelled last month.

The Atlanta Braves (25-15) made the most of their make-up trip to Chicago Monday, beating the Cubs in a home run derby 6-5.

Ozzie Albies got the scoring started early, belting a leadoff homer in the top of the first. His 13th home run of the season tied him with Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, and Manny Machado for the lead in the majors and put Atlanta up 1-0.  Atlanta loaded the bases later in the inning, but couldn’t bring any runners home.

Julio Teheran got the start for Atlanta Monday and got off to another scoreless inning in the first, but a two-run second fueled by an Albert Almora Jr. homer put the Cubs up 2-1. He and Chicago’s Jose Quintana would both struggle with the long ball on the day with the breeze blowing out at Wrigley.

Atlanta quickly went back ahead in the third when Tyler Flowers knocked a two run blast of his own to make it 3-2 Braves. Yet another two-run blast, this time in the bottom of the third from Kris Bryant, leap-frogged the Cubs back on top 4-3.

Quintana kept Atlanta scoreless in the fourth and Teheran returned the favor in the bottom half of the inning.

Jose Bautista, getting the start at third base, launched a three-run homer in the top of the fifth inning, breaking an 0-8 drought the Braves had with runners in scoring position to that point in the game. Bautista’s second homer of the year – and as a Brave – put Atlanta up 6-4.

Hang On!!

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Following the Bautista homer, Atlanta continued to batter Quintana in the fifth.

Julio Teheran helped himself with a base hit, followed by a Albies’ third hit of the day. That forced the Cubs to go to the bullpen, bringing on Steve Cishek in relief. With runners on first and second, Ronald Acuna, who had been 0-for-2 on the day, grounded out to end the inning.

Atlanta drew the bases loaded with three walks in the sixth, but left them all stranded… a theme for the afternoon.  Teheran kept the Cubs scoreless again in the sixth, ending his day.  In total, Julio gave up four runs on four hits through six innings. He struck out only one and walked three.

Sam Freeman came in on relief in the seventh, giving up two hits and only getting one out. Shane Carle finished out the inning and pitched a scoreless eighth keeping the Braves on top 6-4 going into the ninth.

With the Braves failing to get any insurance runs in the ninth, the Cubs got A.J. Minter into some trouble in the bottom half of the inning. Chicago loaded the bases and drew a run on a hit batter, cutting the lead to 6-5, but Minter got out of the jam with a fly up to Ronald Acuna Jr in left field to end the game and get another road win for the Braves.

One More Thought

There was a key defensive replacement made just prior to the Cubs’ last chance:  Johan Camargo replaced Jose Bautista at third base.

Immediately after Camargo entered the game, he managed to spear a sharp grounder, got up, and then got the out at first base.

If he doesn’t make that play, the Cubs could have – at least – tied the game had events unfolded in the same manner from there.

Atlanta thus still holds the distinction of having the best record in the National League – yet just a 1½ game margin over the idle Phillies and 2 over the equally idle Nationals.

Next: Atlanta Braves have 3 weeks until draft day - who to take?

The Braves and Cubs get back to action in Atlanta Tuesday night in a scheduled 7:35 ET start at SunTrust Park in the first of a three game set and a six game home stand.