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Atlanta Braves: Takeaways from offensive explosion in Minnesota

By Steven Teal

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 06: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the interleague game on August 6, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 06: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the interleague game on August 6, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 06: Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves speaks with Mike Foltynewicz #26 after a two-run home run by Mitch Garver #18 of the Minnesota Twins during the sixth inning of the interleague game on August 6, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 06: Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves speaks with Mike Foltynewicz #26 after a two-run home run by Mitch Garver #18 of the Minnesota Twins during the sixth inning of the interleague game on August 6, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

3. Too Close for Comfort

The Atlanta Braves offense scored 11 runs across the first 6 innings Tuesday evening. It seemed like the game was out of reach but with this Minnesota offense, that’s never guaranteed.

Mike Foltynewicz exited the game after allowing just 3 earned runs through 5.1 innings. His fate was left to be determined by a Braves bullpen which has been struggling a bit lately.

All 3 runs allowed by Folty came via the home run. He allowed a solo homer to Nelson Cruz and a 2-run homer to Twins catcher Mitch Garver. They weren’t cheap home runs either but to Mike’s credit, he sat in the dugout for 30 minutes as the Braves offense exploded.

The momentum shifted for the Twins after Mike left the game and things became a little too close for comfort. Luke Jackson and Sean Newcomb both struggled in their appearances during Tuesday’s win.

Walks were once again a problem for Luke Jackson as he walked two batters with 2 outs in the inning. However, he was able to get C.J. Cron to lineout to end the threat.

Sean Newcomb wasn’t so lucky as he allowed two straight singles and a towering 3-run homerun to Twins designated hitter, Nelson Cruz. There was a sense of doom settling in over the inning after that ball was hit.

However, Sean bore down and made his pitches to get out of the inning without any further damage.

Anthony Swarzak and Shane Greene did a much better job at holding the Twins offense at bay.

Swarzak allowed a hit to the first batter he faced but settled in and worked his way out of the inning.

Shane Greene took the mound in the 9th inning with a 6 run lead. This was a good move by manager Brian Snitker. It gave Greene a chance to build some confidence after two disappointing outings.

Greene did allow a solo home run in the inning with 2 outs but he looked a lot sharper this time out. He finished with 2 strikeouts in the 9th inning to seal the win for Atlanta.

This was an up and down game for the bullpen but luckily they were able to just bend and not break to preserve the win for Folty.

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