After dropping 2 of 3 to the lowly Orioles, the Braves had reasons to be concerned as the Reds came into town. But late-night heroics will tend to improve the mood.
It was another long day for the Atlanta Braves on Monday/Tuesday. I say it that way because it was for the second time in 4 games that the clock rolled well past midnight before an outcome could be determined.
On Friday night, the fireworks were turned off – both figuratively and literally – as the Orioles outlasted Atlanta’s pitching over 15 innings. Mercifully, the scoreboard only had to get to the 11th frame on Monday night.
So that’s the equivalent of a full extra game that the Braves have played – which is piling up innings for the healthy relievers – especially since the starters are not going deep enough. Let’s check those numbers since getting back home last week:
- Lucas Sims (1 inning, 2ER)
- Sam Freeman (3.0, 3ER)
- Peter Moylan (2.1, 3)
- A.J. Minter (3, 0)
- Jesse Biddle (5, 0)
- Luke Jackson (3.2, 0)
- Shane Carle (3, 0)
- Dan Winkler (1.1, 4)
Among the starters, it wasn’t surprising that Mike Foltynewicz only went 5 somewhat-rusty innings last night in his 1st outing after a 10-day mini-vacation, but here’s the rest:
- McCarthy (5 innings, 3ER)
- Teheran (4.2, 7ER)
- Newcomb (7, 1ER)
Biddle, Jackson, Minter and Carle have all been doing yeoman’s work… but their arms might fall off if they don’t get a break (though Carle managed to be spared duty last night, so expect him at some point today). You could another available AAA guy to tag-out Lucas Sims since the Braves need to guarantee a fresher arm.
Anibal Sanchez gets the start tonight… let’s hope he can get through 7 with a nice lead.
Meanwhile…
More from Tomahawk Take
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- Alex Anthopoulos discusses the Atlanta Braves payroll, rotation, Grissom, Swanson, Acuña, and more
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- Atlanta Braves: Current Left Field Mix
There was a game last night. The aforementioned Mike Foltynewicz had some difficultly finishing off hitters at times, but did show some mettle in allowing only 1 earned run over those 5 innings, despite 4 walks (91 pitches/54 strikes)
The walks were easier to handle, though, since the Reds only managed 1 hit off of him. Folty’s ERA accordingly dropped to 2.14 for the year.
That hit was a Scott Schebler homer, coming on an 1-2 count/2 out pitch… and thus Folty just barely missed coming away from the outing completely unscathed.
Lucas Sims? Not so much. His presence immediately got Cincy back into the game as he yielded 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk.
Sims’ ERA in 6 appearances this year is now 7.84 (10.1 innings). For his major league career, it’s now 5.96 over 20 outings (68 innings). Back in AAA? 1.88 this season with 43 innings. It matters little whether he’s starting or relieving, but he’s just still not able to get major league hitters out.
The Braves’ offense was grinding away, but the top of the order carried the team last night: Ozzie Albies is suddenly on fire, going 3 for 6 with 8 total bases. The Braves only had 10 hits scattered around the 11 innings, but he an Ender Inciarte were on base 5 times in their 12 trips to the plate, scoring 4 of the 5 runs (Freddie Freeman being the 5th run).
But as he was set to lead off the bottom of the 11th inning, word is that Albies declared to Danny Santana that ‘it’s time to go long’.
He did. 3 wood over Clifford, the Big Red Wall.
https://twitter.com/FOXSportsBraves/status/1011470396233617408
Braves win 5-4, hilarity ensues. First career walk-off blast. 3rd extra base hit on the night. 17th homer of the year.
12 hits in his last 4 games (23 plate appearances, 22 AB) and a 7 game hit streak. There ya go.
Other Notes
- Nick Markakis gets to 100 hits on the year – in Game 77. He’s the first in the National League to do so.
- Jose Altuve has 109 hits for the Astros after 80 games. He got to 100 on the 18th i Houston’s 74th contest.
- The Braves regained ground over both the Nationals and Phillies Monday night. The Phils dropped a tough one against the Yankees (4-2) while the Nationals were blown out by the Rays 11-0.
- The Nats didn’t get a hit until the 7th inning thanks to Rays’ starter Blake Snell. He and reliever Austin Pruitt combined for a 2-hit shutout.
- Washington is now 4-10 over their 14 games and 4 back of the Braves.
- Philly is surprising me: they are solidly holding their own despite a horrid June schedule: since being swept by the Giants and losing 10 of 13 through June 9, they are now 9-5 while playing the Brewers, Rockies, Cardinals, Washington, and now the Yankees.
Next: Oh Acuña, Where Art Thou?
TUESDAY: Anibal Sanchez vs. Matt Harvey … tonight at 7:35 at SunTrust Park. Let’s just play 9 this time?