Atlanta Braves: Newcomb’s issues with walks continues, Acuña remains hot
By John Le
The Atlanta Braves had a huge sixth inning on Wednesday against the Blue Jays, and then made it a close game before holding on for the 8-7.
The Atlanta Braves beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7 on Wednesday afternoon but it came with some worrying points.
Sean Newcomb pitched five innings but gave up three earned runs and FIVE WALKS, an issue he’s had all spring.
Newcomb entered the day with a 5.25 ERA and 10 walks over four games and now this.
#Braves' Newcomb: 5 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 5 BB, 2 K, threw 49 strikes in 83 pitches. That's TWELVE walks in 12 innings over his past 3 starts, including 3 walks in 2 1/3 IP, 4 walks in 4 1/3 IP, and today's 5 in 5 IP.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) March 20, 2019
As Spring Training is coming to a close and rosters are starting to take place, Newcomb is presumed to be one of the names for the Atlanta Braves rotation on Opening Day.
Most hoped he’d take a step forward this year (and there’s plenty of time to) but it’s been a rather disappointing Spring — especially with performances like Max Fried and Kyle Wright happening in camp.
Newcomb will most likely still be in the rotation due to him being one of the more experienced youngster and what he did in 2018, but he definitely has some work to do.
He wasn’t the only pitcher to struggle during Wednesday’s game as Arodys Vizcaíno pitched only 2/3 of an inning and gave up a walk and two runs. Vizcaíno did get two strikeouts though.
The Offense Though
The Braves bats were present for the game though, picking up nine total hits including a two-hit day for Ronald Acuña Jr.
They shot first —literally— as Andy Wilkins hit a homer to right in the second to give the Braves the lead.
The game broke open during a wild sixth inning when the Braves came in trailing the Blue Jays 3-1.
The Braves started the comeback when Acuña Jr. hit an RBI single following a hit-by-pitch to Dansby Swanson and a single from Johan Camargo.
Consecutive walks to Brian McCann and Charlie Culberson added another run to tie the game 3-3.
Cristian Pache then followed up with a grounder to give the Braves a 4-3 lead.
To add to the chaos of the inning, the Blue Jays made three pitching changes. The Braves would add two more runs that inning with the help of Wilkins’ single and a grounder from Pedro Florimon.
Swanson, who’s getting into a groove, led off the seventh with a double to left before Camargo followed with a single. Acuña Jr. drove in a run with a single and Culberson later followed with a grounder to give the Braves an 8-3 lead. That’s good enough, right?
The game would have been a pretty good, intense game to watch had it been on TV even though it was a spring game. Sadly, it only had a radio broadcast, being the only game without television coverage on Wednesday.
The Braves had a good lead going into the bottom of the seventh but almost gave it up completely. Vizcaino entered the game and gave up a leadoff four-pitch walk.
He struck out one batter before allowing an RBI single to Brandon Drury. He struck out one more before being swapped out for Andres Santiago who gave up a 2-run homer.
Vizcaino charged with a 1 hit, 2 R and 1 walk w/ 2 K's in 2/3rds of an inning, but Snitker said he's not worried about him at all, is just pleased to see him healthy and making all his appearances. He's confident that when lights come on and games count, Viz will be throwing 98.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) March 20, 2019
The Braves barely escaped the ninth inning when reliever Jose Rafael De Paula (long name) allowed a hit and two walks for a bases-loaded situation. Jordan Harrison entered and allowed a sac-fly to center to add another run for the Blue Jays.
The game ended when Ryan Noda was out on a rundown to home, as Braves escaped with an 8-7 win.
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On behalf of Tomahawk Take, I would also like to send our condolences for Brian Snitker and his family, following the passing of his mother.