Atlanta Braves landed only 2 hits in pitcher’s duel between Sanchez-Nola
By John Le
Anibal Sanchez had another solid outing for the Atlanta Braves and basically solidified his spot in playoff rotation but Jonny Venters gave up 3 out of the bullpen
After cranking out run after run in the 10-2 win on Friday, the Atlanta Braves offense went silent in the 3-0 shut out loss during a pitcher’s duel between Anibal Sanchez and Aaron Nola.
Sanchez pitched 6 innings and allowed only 3 hits while striking out 7 in his standoff against Nola. Nola stayed a little longer for 7 innings while allowing only 2 hits and fanning 8 batters. He also walked 4 which was one more than Sanchez but got the win. Overall both guys were fantastic!
Sanchez would get a no-decision after Jonny Venters entered during the 7th and gave up the deciding 3 runs, taking the lost.
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The action started when Venters walked Jose Bautista on four pitches to lead off the inning before allowing a bunt single to Scott Kingery.
A sacrifice from Andrew Knapp moved the runners over 1 before pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos got an intentional walk.
With bases loaded, Cesar Hernandez knocked a single to left to score both Bautista and Kingery.
Carlos Santana drew a walk shortly after to load it for Odubel Herrera. Herrera grounded one to short but the Braves couldn’t turn the double-play which allowed another run.
Venters came into the day with a 2.97 ERA and have been crucial for the bullpen and I still expect him to be a guy they use in the playoffs but tonight did blast his ERA to 3.71.
The Braves offense, however, just couldn’t back up Sanchez like they did for Mike Foltynewicz Friday night. The first hit of only 2 came from Ronald Acuña Jr. in the 1st inning and the other was from Nick Markakis in the 4th.
One of the good things from the game, though, was Touki Toussaint coming out for the 8th and struck out all 3 batters he faced. A good showing for his own playoff case.
The Braves had an opportunity to break some hearts in the 9th when Markakis got a 1-out walk. Then, after Johan Camargo struck out, Kurt Suzuki lined one to Santana who fired the ball passed Hoskins for an error. This placed runners at 2nd and 3rd with Ozzie Albies up, however, he grounded the first pitch for the final out.
Freddie Freeman, Camargo and Albies also struck out twice each in the game. Freeman also grounded into a double-play in the first inning, after hitting 3 doubles out of 4 hits just the night before.
They will look to to get the series win to end the regular season Sunday when Kevin Gausman goes against Ranger Suarez at 3:05 PM.