The Atlanta Braves Top Cardinals In 11-4 Pounding Behind Fried’s Gem
By John Le
Why the offense did their magic, Max Fried turned a great gem in the Atlanta Braves win
The Atlanta Braves continued to deliver a beat-down to the Cardinals after taking a 5-1 win in game one. Newly called up Max Fried made the start in place of Brandon McCarthy who missed it after being placed on the disabled list with a right knee tendinitis. Fried was just dominant, going 6.2 innings while striking out 11 while Ronald Acuna and Nick Markakis each hit one over the wall.
On a night that the Braves game was aired on FOX, they put on a show to show everyone what their team can do. Against a team like the Cardinals, every batter had at least one hit, EVERY batter. Not only was Fried dealing on the mound, but he even got his first career hit.
The Braves showed off their bats early when Acuna launched a 2-run homer after Markakis hit a lead-off double two batters prior. It was Acuna’s first hit since coming back from injury.
Atlanta had their big inning in the fifth when they racked up six more runs against Cardinals starter Luke Weaver. Fried and Ender Inciarte hit singles before Ozzie Albies hit a ground rule double. Freddie Freeman was then intentionally walked to load the bases for Markakis who blasted one to right for a grand slam.
An out later, Acuna got a ground rule double and Johan Camargo drew a walk. Dansby Swanson followed up with a single that drove in Acuna. Braves up 8-0.
Just Keep Hitting, Just Keep Hitting…
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The Braves immediately continued their onslaught the next inning as Inciarte hit one to deep right for a ground rule double. Albies singled him home and advance to second on the throw before moving to third via Freeman ground out.
Markakis then hit a sac fly to bring home Albies. Braves now up 10-0.
The Braves decided to tack on one more run in the 9th inning. Acuna lined one to center and after an error by Tommy Pham, Acuna landed at third. He kind of tripped while rounding 2nd, otherwise there’s a chance Acuna could’ve scored.
However, he came home on a sac-fly by Camargo.
Teasing The Cardinals
Max Fried’s night ended in the 7th after striking out the first two hitters. At this point, Fried was already at 96 pitches but with two outs already, maybe he could finish this inning before being done. However, Fried threw three straight balls before eventually walking Harrison Bader.
Matt Wisler came in for relief and struck out Yairo Munoz. Fried ended the night with a career high 11 strikeouts in a four-hit shut-out outing. He did have some competition from another guy name Touki Toussaint for the Mississippi Braves:
Wisler and the Braves had a hiccup in the bottom 9th. Leading off, Jose Martinez knocked one over the center wall for a solo home run. Pinch-hitting Dexter Fowler singled one past Swanson. Another hit from Francisco Pena put runners at 2nd and 3rd.
If the score was a lot closer, Wisler would have been pulled but this was hoping he can end it here with a big lead. However a sac-fly from Jedd Gyorko scored a run. A double from Bader scored another. He moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a Munoz double before Wisler was finally replaced by Sam Freeman.
He got the final two outs to finish the game at 11-4. Braves take the series and have a chance to take the sweep Sunday.
Overall impressive night by Max Fried and the Braves offense.
Next: Braves Still Haven't Sign Their 1st Draft Pick Yet
Mike Foltynewicz takes the mound for Atlanta at 2:15 PM ET against former Braves John Gant (3.48 ERA).