Braves Win Streak Snapped by Wind and Small Ball
It had to end at sometime, the Atlanta Braves lost a game as they were defeated 1-0 by the Chicago Cubs (and the wind) on Friday at Wrigley Field.
The Atlanta Braves hadn’t lost a game all month until falling the Cubs on Friday, and it almost looked like they might pull it off as they loaded the bases in the ninth with two outs, but just couldn’t get that big hit.
In fact, there were no big hits on Friday.
Wrigley Field is unique in that when the wind is blowing out the balls can fly out of the ballpark.
But when the wind is blowing in — as it was on Friday — it’s nearly impossible to get one out.
The Braves’ offense has relied heavily on the home run ball during this win streak, and with the wind against them, there were at least three balls that with no wind would have left the yard rather easily.
Marcell Ozuna hit a ball in the 7th inning 107.4 MPH with a 33 degree launch angle and expected batting average (xBA) of .910 — but it was just a routine fly out.
In the 8th inning, Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a ball 104.4 MPH at a 32 degree angle with xBA of .830 that he thought for sure was gone, but it too died at the warning track.
Dansby Swanson and Matt Olson also hit balls that on a day with no wind might have left the yard.
Either way, a lot of credit to Keegan Thompson (War Eagle!) for knowing the weather elements and pounding the strike zone.
The wind didn’t have anything to do with the 9 strikeouts they racked up against Thompson through 6 innings.
Chicago was able to scratch across a run in the eighth thanks to some small ball.
A.J. Minter walked the lead off batter — never ideal in a close game. A sac bunt moved the runner to second, and then he stole third before scoring on a sacrifice fly.
It’s kind of fitting that the Braves streak ends on a small ball play on a day when the home run ball was basically taken away from them.
Braves: Good Signs for Charlie Morton
Charlie Morton has been bailed out plenty by the offense over the past month or so, but this time they couldn’t back up a brilliant start by him.
He tossed 7 shutout innings allowing just 3 hits with no walks and 9 strikeouts.
That’s now 21 strikeouts in his last two starts.
But even more encouraging, is the fact he’s gotten 44 swings-and-misses in those starts. That tells you he has the feel of that curveball back and he’s starting to get hitters chasing.
The streak comes to an end, but the Braves have done exactly what they needed to do in this stretch games — get back in the NL East race.
They’ll take the field again on Saturday, and hopefully the wind will be blowing out as the Braves look to start a new streak.