Atlanta Braves tie series with 4-1 win over Phillies

Mike Foltynewicz strikes out 6 while Freddie Freeman hit a triple on a windy and rainy Atlanta Braves win

The Atlanta Braves looked to even up the series on Saturday while Mike Foltynewicz looked to get his second win on the season. On the Phillies side, they began with starter Nick Pivetta.

The first inning went quietly for both sides, but in the second inning the Braves struck first. Nick Markakis – who has quietly had a good year – lead off the frame by launching a ball to right for a home run. Markakis is now hitting a nice .307.

A lot more happened in the third inning, starting with a Ryan Flaherty lead-off single. Next up was Foltynewicz who squeezed a bunt and out-ran the throw for a single.

With two on, Ender Inciarte singled to right, scoring Flaherty. Foltynewicz, standing at third, soon came home on Ozzie Albies‘ sacrifice fly – a drive that just missed becoming 2 or 3 bases thanks to a nice running catch.

The Show Stopper

Next came some amazing baseball. Freddie Freeman launched one to deep center but what would have been a two-run home run was robbed by Odubel Herrera. He made an unbelievable leaping grab for the second out… if you hadn’t seen it, it’s definitely worth a look (even though the outcome didn’t help Atlanta).

Inciarte would then steal second AND third. He was initially called out at third, but Braves successfully challenged the call. This put Inciarte at the top for most steals in the majors with 12.

Markakis was walked on four pitches, followed by a walk to Acuna to load the bases. However, Swanson grounded out to end the inning.  3-0 Bravos.  Could have been a lot more by then.

Foltynewicz continued cruising when he struck out two straight to open the home half of that 3rd inning. He gave up a walk to Cesar Hernandez but picked him off to finish the inning.

In the fifth, Albies singled to left. Freeman then TRIPLED to deep right-center on the first pitch to score Albies. [Ed. note:  for a while there, I was thinking that Freeman could end up just a monster catch short of the cycle.]

In the bottom of the inning, Maikel Franco shot one over the left wall for a first pitch homer, giving the Phillies their first run.

Finishing It Up

Between the fourth and sixth inning, the rain started to fall and the wind picked up considerably, but both teams continued to play through it without delay.

Foltynewicz ended his day striking out six and walking only two in 6 innings of work. The bullpen took over in the seventh and pitched well overall. Shane Carle gave up two hits, A.J. Minter allowed two walks while Dan Winkler struck out two and Arodys Vizcaino struck out three.

However, the important part was that they shut the Phillies down to finish the game without any further scoring. Braves win 4-1.

Next: Acuna Is Here...But Is He Enough?

The Braves and Phillies play game three Sunday at 1:35 PM ET with Brandon McCarthy taking the mound against Vince Velasquez.