Atlanta Braves Game 2: offense comes to life late vs. Mets pitching
For the second straight day, the Atlanta Braves offense had no answer for Mets pitching. Until…
You might think that between excellent starting pitching and all the power present in this Atlanta Braves lineup, that it wouldn’t be a matter of needing everyone hitting consistently in order to win.
But they do need somebody hitting.
On Friday, the visiting Braves mustered only 3 hits and no runs. On Saturday, it was 3 hits and a lone tally that came courtesy of an Adam Duvall homer.
At least until later on… we’ll get to that.
The opportunities were there — particularly in the 8th inning when Austin Riley and pinch hitter Matt Adams installed themselves on the corners with 2 outs… and then a lefty-righty matchup against Ronald Acuna ended up going bust as Justin Wilson made him wave at his sliders to end the threat.
In truth, that’s been the issue: the Mets have successfully mixed moving fastballs with devastating sliders to keep Braves hitters guessing.
Met starter Stephen Matz K’d seven Braves while only 1 hitter (Freeman) walked. The threats were few and far between.
At least Duvall’s solo shot was entertaining: it came shortly after this tweet…
Among the cardboard cutouts in the stands at Citi Field are three dogs in rightfield: Kali and Griffey Conforto and Willow McNeil. pic.twitter.com/E2wxyN0hPm
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) July 25, 2020
… and here’s what Duvall thought about letting those dogs out:
Poor pup 🐶
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 25, 2020
Adam Duvall hit a cardboard cutout of Jeff McNeil's dog Willow
(via @Braves)pic.twitter.com/zzSxFeGpON
Marcell Ozuna‘s Big Fly
Fast-forward to the 9th inning. Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman both made quick outs. Still nothing going for the Braves.
Then Marcell Ozuna worked the count to 3-2 and swung hard.
What happened? Another oppo-taco shot that gave Met fans instant abdominal cramps: top of the 9th inning, two outs, full count… with closer Edwin Diaz on the mound. Tie ballgame.
MARCELL OZUNA! Clutch mode!
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 25, 2020
(via @Braves) pic.twitter.com/8q8DyULhG2
We’ve been used to seeing Atlanta come up with late fire to come back against numerous opponents. They usually don’t wait this long, but we take these things. Welcome to the Braves, Marcell!
That homer still meant that the bullpen still had to work through the Mets. Luke Jackson made things interesting but managed to get Brave-killer McNeil to send us to extra innings.