Recap: Braves even the series in Arizona as Eddie Rosario continues hot streak

In the midst of a six-game road trip, the Atlanta Braves have gone 4-6 in their last ten games and needed a series win tonight in Arizona before returning home to face their divisional rival the New York Mets, who have been trailing them in the NL East standings. Thankfully, Atlanta's offense came out hot, thanks to big plays from Eddie Rosario and Ronald Acuña Jr, as the Braves took Game 2 of the series against Arizona, 5-2, snapping the Diamondback's six-game win streak.

Sean Murphy got the Braves' offense started in the top of the second inning with a lead-off double. Eddie Rosario, who has been hitting a .310 average in his past 12 games, advanced Murphy to third base with a ground out. However, the Braves where unable to score any runs as they were retired by rookie Diamondbacks pitcher Ryne Nelson.

Spencer Strider started for the Braves tonight on the mound. Despite giving up a lead-off double in the bottom of the second inning, Strider and the Braves' defense managed to keep Arizona at bay heading into the third inning. Ronald Acuña Jr hit a double to start the third inning, and followed it up by stealing third, his 24th stolen base of the year, the second most in the league. After Matt Olson walked, Austin Riley was very close to hitting a no-doubt homer, but was caught out just at the wall in centerfield. Regardless, Acuña was able to score to make it a 1-0 Braves lead.

Strider ended the third inning catching Arizona's Pavin Smith trying to steal second base. As the Braves offense came up in the fourth inning, Rosario continued his hot streak by hitting his second triple of the season, followed by a walk from Ozzie Albies. With runners at the corners, Marcell Ozuna hit a single to bring in Rosario and to make it 2-0 Braves.

Arizona's Ryne Nelson struggled against the Braves offense on the mound tonight, as he was unable to record a strikeout through 4.2 innings pitched, while allowing six hits and four walks. Nelson's night came to an end in the top of the fifth inning when Rosario continued to dominate this series by bringing in Riley with a RBI single to make it a 3-0 Braves lead.

Arizona put themselves on the board when Evan Longaria hit a solo homer off of Strider in the bottom of the fifth inning, making it a 3-1 ballgame. It was the seventh home run Strider has given up this year. The Braves responded in the top of the sixth inning when Michael Harris II brought in Ozuna to make it 4-1 Braves. Afterwards, Acuña chimed in with an absolute bomb of a home run to increase the Braves' lead to 5-1.

Strider started the seventh inning allowing a single from Arizona's Emmanuel Rivera, ending his night in Arizona as Jesse Chavez took his place on the mound. Strider's final statline for the night was 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, and 7 K, with a 2.84 ERA.

Chavez hit Arizona's Geraldo Perdoma with a pitch, allowing Rivera to score for the Diamondbacks and making it 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh while getting himself stuck into a bases loaded situation. However, Chavez threw back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning and to prevent the Diamondbacks from scoring any further.

Nick Anderson took over in the the bottom of the eighth inning, followed by Raisel Iglesias in the bottom of the ninth to close the game out. Iglesias got the save as the Braves ending Arizona's six-game win streak, 5-2.

Rosario has been the x-factor for the Braves against Arizona, going 5-for-7 with three RBI's, three runs, and two home runs through two games this series. Along with Rosario's hitting power, Acuña's last ten home runs have gone 420+ feet, the most consecutive homers by more than 420+ feet since Statcast started tracking home runs in 2015. Meanwhile, Strider has struck out 7+ batters in all 12 of his starts as a pitcher.

The Braves will finish their road trip tommorow, June 4th, when they play Arizona in the rubber match, scheduled for a 4:10 PM EST start time. Mike Soroka will get the start for Atlanta as he continues his comeback tour with the team.