Braves drop series opener against Diamondbacks 6-2

A pair of three-run innings powered the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Atlanta Braves on Monday.

After going 4-3 in their last home-stand, the Atlanta Braves traveled west to take on the upstart Arizona Diamondbacks for a three game series.

Hard-throwing right-hander Spencer Strider got the nod to start on Memorial Day. This was Strider’s first career MLB start, as he has been used exclusively out of the bullpen since his call up in 2021. The rookie entered the game with a 2.22 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched.

Everything started out well for Strider and the Braves, as Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the game with a single and later scored on a wild pitch from Diamondbacks’ pitcher Zac Gallen to give Atlanta an early 1-0 lead.

Strider struck out the first two batters he faced before allowing an infield single to Ketel Marte. David Peralta would then double in the next at-bat after Marcell Ozuna’s failed attempt at sliding to catch the fly ball. After that, Pavin Smith hit a three-run homer to right field to give the D-backs a 3-1 lead.

Austin Riley got a run back for the Braves with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning. This was Riley’s 12th homer of the season.

Strider settled in over the next few innings before he was pulled in the fifth. His final line on the day was 4.1 innings pitched, 5 earned runs, 7 strikeouts, and 2 walks.

Dylan Lee came on in relief in the fifth inning, but he allowed three runs with two outs. The Braves would have been out of the inning with no damage had Matt Olson not dropped a ball thrown to first to complete a double play.  As required by scoring rules, no error was charged.

The Braves were unable to score the rest of the night and were ultimately defeated by the Diamondbacks by a score of 6-2. Zac Gallen picked up his fourth win of the season after pitching 5.2 innings of two-run ball.

With the loss, Atlanta drops to 23-26 on the year and 9.5 games behind the New York Mets in the division. Game two against the D-backs will start tomorrow at 9:40 pm EST with Charlie Morton taking on Humberto Castellanos.