Atlanta Braves rock Chris Sale
By Fred Owens
No-No? No
Folty carried a no-hitter into the sixth. With one out he threw strike three to Andrew Benintendi but it was called a ball. Instead of getting emotional at the missed call, he was laughing as he turned back to the mound. A six run lead when the batters haven’t had a clue all day may have helped with that laugh.
His next pitch was line drive double off the Monster ending the no-hit bid. Bogaerts smoked a line drive over second that might have changed the game. but Ozzie leapt high into the air to rob him and prevent a run.
Mitch Moreland drove in the Sox only run with a triple to right and Pedroia followed with a fly ball to tight that forced Acuna to make a knee-high running catch. That ended the threat and the inning. The Braves had a lead a pitcher on his game but they wish now the next inning had unfolded differently.
Oh no!
After Albies grounded out Acuna hit a ball to the left of Bogaerts at short. Bogaerts played it like an ordinary runner but Acuna downshifted and out ran the throw. As he ran through first signaling the umpire he was safe his landed awkwardly on his of his left leg. The clip shows it better than I can or want to describe it.
🙏 for #Braves Ronald Acuña (@ronaldacunajr24)pic.twitter.com/tIru1BMq8T
— Gradick Sports (@GradickSports) May 27, 2018
Acuna did walk off under his own power but that’s not really an indicator of the seriousness of the injury.
Happened to be watching the game with an athletic trainer who has done knee research. She said it's impossible to tell anything from tv and that while walking off the field is better than the alternative, it doesn't rule out much.
— Dayton from Nebraska (@BravesAmerica) May 27, 2018
Acuña is undergoing further evaluation at a local hospital but is expected to travel back to Atlanta with the team this evening. #Braves
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) May 27, 2018
Closing the deal
Folty remained on the mound for the seventh and Preston Tucker – who ran for Acuna – took over in the outfield.
Rafael Devers caught up with a 98 mph fastball and smashed a double to left. But Nunez popped up to Albies in short right field and Mike struck out Swihart swinging (a 97.6 mph heater) and Leone (99 mph fastball) ending the inning.
A.J. Minter pitched the eighth and showed a little rust a single and a one out walk before striking out Moreland and Pedroia.
Tucker singled with one out on the ninth and eventually scored when Suzuki singled.
Arodys Vizcaino pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to end the game.