Strider fans 10 as Braves fall short at Fenway against Red Sox
The Atlanta Braves have now lost 7 of their last 10 games to start the second half. It has been a struggle for the NL East-leaders to get back on track.
By Chris Turner
The fourth double-digit strikeout game in a row for Spencer Strider was not enough for the Atlanta Braves to avoid a letdown at Fenway Park.
Boston wrapped up a two-game sweep of the Braves with a 5-3 win on Wednesday night, continuing Atlanta's struggles in the second half. The loss to the Red Sox gives Atlanta a 3-7 record in its last 10 games.
Both pitchers were lights out through five innings, with Strider and Boston's Brayan Bello each throwing five scoring innings and allowing just five hits between the two of them. Atlanta opened the sixth with Michael Harris II leading off the inning with a double into center field.
He's now hitting .409 in his last seven games, .320 in his last 15, and .352 in his last 30 games. After Ronald Acuña Jr. was hit by a pitch, Ozzie Albies put the Braves in front with a three-run, 393 foot blast to right center to give the Braves their first lead of the series since the top of the first inning of Tuesday's game.
The Red Sox got one back in the bottom of the inning, with Rafael Devers taking a 1-2 slider into right field to put Boston on the board. Spencer Strider came back out for the 7th inning and struck out Alex Verdugo to get his 10th strikeout of the night, putting him one away from 200 on the season.
Triston Casas followed that up by continuing his hot streak with a home run of his own, a solo shot that trimmed the Braves lead to one. Strider would exit the game after allowing Connor Wong to single following the Casas homer.
Pierce Johnson made his debut for the Braves in relief, inducing a ground ball that would bounce off Albies and put runners on first and second with one out. After a ground out advanced runners to second and third, Justin Turner hit what would be the game-winning double to left to clear the bases and put Boston ahead for good. For good measure, old friend Adam Duvall hit a home run off Kirby Yates to give the Red Sox a 5-3 advantage.
A much-needed day off is next up for the Braves, before returning home for a six-game homestand against the Brewers and Angels.