The Atlanta Braves fall to the Dodgers after a poor 5th inning
The Atlanta Braves lose 9-5 to the Los Angeles Dodgers thanks to a big 5th inning.
The Atlanta Braves just cannot seem to get out of their own way.
Freddie Freeman got things started with a solo home run in the first inning! Julio Urias threw thirty pitches in that first inning, and it looked like the Braves were in control of the game.
Ian Anderson also helped as he was dealing through four innings, not allowing a hit.
Then the fifth inning came. Anderson struggled with control and allowed Chris Taylor and Gavin Lux to reach. The Dodgers would then score their first run on a fielder’s choice to Austin Riley, where Riley went home but would not get anyone out thanks to hitting Taylor in the back with the ball.
Urias would then drop a bunt down and Anderson went to the plate trying to get Lux and was unsuccessful. Sean Newcomb would relieve Anderson.
It would not be a good outing for Newcomb as he would walk three guys and allow three runs in only 0.1 IP. This includes walking in two runs.
Grant Dayton would relieve him, and after an RBI single to Will Smith, and a bases clearing double from Taylor, he would finally end the fifth inning.
The Braves would fight back in the eighth inning. Ozzie Albies would hit a double that scored Freddie Freeman and Ender Inciarte. Ehire Adrianza would reach on a two-base error by Lux that would score both Albies and Austin Riley to bring the Braves to within three runs.
Tyler Matzek allowed a double to Mookie Betts in the top of the 9th and Betts would later score on a wild pitch.
Notes
Ian Anderson looked great through four innings, and only allowed one run all night. It is the walks that got the young Braves pitcher in trouble as he allowed three of them. The lack of control, combined with the Dodgers patient approach at the plate, really drove up Anderson’s pitch count. This led to him leaving after only 4.1 innings.
Anderson’s final line: 4.1 IP, 1 hit, 4 ER, 3 ER, 6 Ks
If Anderson ever gets his control figured out, he has top of the rotation stuff. However, this is the type of game that can happen when facing a good team when a young pitcher is still learning how to pitch at the big-league level.
Freddie Freeman looked better tonight at the plate. His xBA (.293), xSLG (.568), and xwOBA (.407) suggests he is still hitting the ball hard. Hopefully, this means he is about to go on an extended hot streak. The Braves need someone to carry them.
The Braves need to find an unexpected hero. Guillermo Heredia, Ehire Adrianza, Ender Inciarte, and Abraham Almonte probably should not be playing regularly on a team that hopes to be competitive, but a lot of unexpected events have led to them having to play regularly.
The Braves desperately need one to be that unexpected hero to help this Braves offense.
On to the next one
It hurts but it is only one loss. Unfortunately, those losses are starting to pile up.
In the words of Yogi Berra, “It’s getting late early.”
Maybe they can get it started tomorrow as Charlie Morton takes the mound for the Braves. He will be met by Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers.
We knew it would be a tough series, but the Braves could still win the final two and win the series. Hopefully, it starts tomorrow.