3 Takeaways: Atlanta Braves comeback falls short in series loss to Brewers

1. The Atlanta Braves continue to fight until the 27th out

Over the course of this 2019 season, the Atlanta Braves have made a penchant of thrilling, come-from-behind wins.

It’s become a trademark of this team: never give up, and make the opposition earn all 27 outs.

In fact, the Braves are first in the National League (and 2nd in MLB) in average runs scored from innings 7-9.

It appeared as though perhaps the Braves had another amazing comeback in store in the 9th against the Brewers’ closer Josh Hader.

Charlie Culberson and Johan Camargo both delivered pinch-hit singles to start the inning before Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Dansby Swanson were both retired.

Down to the final out, Freddie Freeman managed to reach base on a passed ball strikeout, then Josh Donaldson ripped a single to center, driving in two runs and pushing the score to 5-4.

Donaldson, in fact, was responsible for all four of the Atlanta runs on Wednesday afternoon, with the other two coming via a two-run homer in the 8th, as he continues his terrific hitting over the last 1.5 months (135 wRC+ since June 1st).

Despite trailing since the second inning, the Braves sent Ozzie Albies to the plate in the 9th with the tying run just 90 feet away.

While Albies’ at-bat ended with a strikeout against the brutally-tough Hader to end the game, one has to be encouraged by Atlanta’s tendency – yet again – to battle until the last out.

It would have been easy for the Braves to mail it in and coast their way to a one-sided defeat, especially after falling behind 5-0 in the 6th on a getaway day after a 6-game roadtrip that started on the West Coast.

But the Braves showed once again with the scoring threat in the 9th that they’ve got persistence in their blood: this team’s spirit is very difficult to break.

That competitive nature has won quite a few “impossible” ballgames already this season, and will continue to serve as a strength for the Atlanta Braves moving forward.