Vizcaino Blows Save as Braves Fall to the Cubs 3-2

Coming back to Atlanta after a very successful road trip, the Braves looked to keep things going versus the Cubs in the first game of a three game series.

Mike Foltynewicz took the mound for the Atlanta Braves looking to continue improving after a successful outing in Miami. His control in this game was lacking and that was clear in his 5 walks and high pitch count.

Even though he allowed 5 free passes he was able to hold the Cubs to 1 run on 10 strikeouts through 5 innings of work.

Yu Darvish had the start for the Cubs having just come off the 10-day DL for Flu like symptoms. He had a noticeable change in his windup from the last time the Braves saw him in Chicago. That change being he no longer had a windup and instead pitched out of the stretch every pitch.

Running Wild

The Braves were almost able to capitalize on a defensive mishap by the Cubs in the bottom of the first inning but came up just short. The “rally” started with a walk to Freddie Freeman with two outs. With Markakis at the plate Freeman stole second and on a wild throw from Wilson Contreras attempted to go home but was thrown out at the plate.

Darvish was able to hold down the Braves offense until Ender Inciarte stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the forth inning and hit a no doubter to the right field porch.

The Braves Replay Woes

Things got heated in the bottom of the fifth inning. It started with a single by Johan Camargo and a throwing error by Baez allowing Culberson to reach. After the error the Braves had a man on third and first with nobody out.

With Albies in the batters box, Mike Montgomery threw a pitch to the backstop leading to a bang-bang play at the plate resulting in an out. However, after further review Camargo looked safe by a mile so the Braves decide to challenge.

Obviously New York got this one wrong and it hasn’t been the first time. Major League Baseball has a huge problem on their hands and it’s the complete failure of a replay system they are using.

To make matters even worse Culberson was called out at third on an attempted steal where he was clearly safe, but the Braves were not allowed to challenge that call – and the crew chief declined to exercise his prerogative to request a review.

There were multiple reactions, but this one is especially biting.

Acuña Bomb

The score stayed tied until the bottom of the 8th when Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a bomb to center field into the trees off Carl Edwards Jr.

Personally I loved seeing this from Acuña after a rough road trip. Hopefully this will get some good momentum going for the talented rookie.

The Blown Save

With the Braves up 2-1 in the top of the ninth inning they bring in Vizcaino to close out the game. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to carry out the task. After giving up a double to Almora Jr he allowed another double by Addison Russell scoring Almora.

A ground out from former Brave Tommy La Stella moved Russell to third and a single from Ben Zobrist brought him home giving the Cubs a 3-2 lead over the Braves. The offense was not able to get anything going in the ninth allowing the Cubs to win game one of the series.

Something to Think About

With the Braves continuing to play great despite the Front Office not eying to contend until next year, they could make a move from within to give the club a boost.

Next: On the way back

What’s Next

Tomorrow the Braves and Cubs face off in game two of the series with McCarthy (4-2, 5.58 ERA) going for Atlanta and Chatwood (3-3, 3.35 ERA) getting the nod for Chicago. First pitch will be at 7:35 PM ET.