The top 10 moments of the Atlanta Braves 2018 season
By John Le
8. Inciarte’s Craft Walks The Braves Off
April 21, 2018: The Braves pulled off a walk-off in a very creative way against the Mets back in April. They were shut down by the Mets closer, Jeurys Familia, the night before but were able to get some revenge.
Coming into the 9th, the Braves were trailing 3–2 with Dansby Swanson leading off who got a walk. A triple from Johan Camargo allowed Swanson to score and tie the game.
Kurt Suzuki then reached on an infield single to put runners at the corners. After Charlie Culberson struck out, up came Inciarte, who bunted the first pitch to first. The Mets targeted home plate but Swanson slid in safely for the walk-off win! I recommend you to check it out with Celine Dion’s accompaniment:
https://twitter.com/TitanicBaseball/status/987900874734424065
7. Road To Ace Status: Foltynewicz Complete Game Shut Out
June 1, 2018: Mike Foltynewicz tossed an absolute gem against the Washington Nationals to kick off June.
The Braves won 4-0 but it was Foltynewicz’s impressive outing that stole the show. It was his first career complete shutout game.
WHAT A GEM, @FOLTY25.
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) June 2, 2018
Mike Foltynewicz's first career complete game shutout capped off by striking out Bryce Harper.@Braves | #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/6V5nhOi0lt
In 106 pitches, Foltynewicz allowed only 2 hits and a walk while striking out 11 which included getting Bryce Harper swinging to end the game.
The 27-year-old took huge steps in improving himself as a pitcher and really became the Braves new ace and showed potential to be a legitimate one instead of just a de facto staff ace.
Foltynewicz would go on to have a season record of 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA and finishing 8th in NL Cy Young voting.
6. Good Old Defense To Save The Game
September 8, 2018: This was one of those moments that really contributed to the Braves winning the division. An awesome defensive throw by Dansby Swanson protected the lead and win for Atlanta in overtime.
Swanson's diving play up the middle and throw home was the stuff that will be remembered if #Braves hold on to win division. Huge play. Just a major clutch defensive play by the shortstop.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 9, 2018
After the Braves scored a couple runs in the 10th inning, AJ Minter was the one out to close the game and ran into some trouble.
The Diamondbacks were down to two outs but with runners at 2nd and 3rd when AJ Pollock shot one between short and 2nd. However, Swanson made an amazing diving stop before beaming it to Kurt Suzuki at home.
The first runner, Steve Souza, had already scored but the throw allowed Suzuki to tag the 2nd runner, Nick Ahmed, to preserve the win. Final: Braves 5–4 Diamondbacks.
Check out the whole series of highlight moments from the entire 10th inning here.