Cubs down the Braves with big inning…did you stay up? Probably not, but we did! Let us recap the game for you!
After a dazzling first four starts in the big leagues, Atlanta Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb has finally experienced the expected growing pains. Control issues and a big fourth inning propelled the Chicago Cubs to a 5-1 victory over the Braves on Tuesday night.
While only allowing one hit and hitting a batter through the first two innings, Newcomb gave up a lead-off home run to Cubs second baseman Javier Baez.
Later that inning, two walks led to a three-run blast from Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras. Newcomb kept the Cubs relatively in check until three consecutive singles in the sixth inning with one out led to his departure.
The Braves offense had a couple of late opportunities, but were ultimately shut down by Cubs starter John Lackey.
The only run came in the second inning on a Nick Markakis solo home run to right field. It was his fifth blast of the 2017 season.
Braves young shortstop Johan Camargo chipped in two hits for the game, and the bullpen provided 3.2 innings of scoreless baseball.
The biggest blown opportunity came from Matt Adams who finished 0-4, leaving five men on base including having runners in scoring position twice.
After already taking the series, the Cubs will hope to win their seventh straight in route to a sweep of the series against the Braves, which wraps up Wednesday afternoon with first-pitch expected at 12:10 ET.
The key word in that sentence is: “expected”, as the first two games of the series held lengthy rain delays.
#Braves skipper Brian Snitker recaps tonight's loss to the #Cubs. #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/xen9jfVZXw
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 19, 2017
The Braves (45-47) will roll out the red-hot R.A. Dickey vs. the Cubs’ (48-45) Mike Montgomery.
Dickey has been a catalyst lately for the Braves, only allowing four earned runs in his previous five starts. Montgomery, on the other hand, has mightily struggled in his previous five starts, giving up over four runs a game on average.
Dickey’s recent surge and record at SunTrust park, paired with Montgomery’s recent woes are two factors that hopefully play a role in the avoidance of the sweep for the Braves.
Next: Chipper Jones back on the field and taking BP
They will also benefit from Contreras taking an expected day off, and batters like Ben Zobrist, who is hitting .154 with nine strikeouts in 39 at-bats vs. Dickey, will repeat the pattern vs. Dickey.