It wasn’t as close as the score indicated.
(Deep breath.) Ronald Acuna Jr. had 4 hits including a homer and scored 4 runs and Josh Donaldson had 3 hits with a homer Ozzie Albies had 2 doubles among his 3 hits and scored twice Freddie Freeman Nick Markakis Austin Riley and Tyler Flowers had 2 hits each Flowers adding a home run Acuna Freeman Donaldson Markakis Albies and Flowers drove in 2 runs apiece Freeman and Flowers joined Ozzie in scoring twice Mike Foltynewicz got an RBI on a bunt because of course he did and only Sean Rodriguez was effective out of the Phillies bullpen pitching a perfect 8th with a strikeout.
Foltynewicz went 6 innings and allowed the run; only 4 hits allowed, but 5 walks contributed greatly to his 100 pitch total. Josh Tomlin and Huascar Ynoa finished up uneventfully. Ynoa’s Major League debut marked the 24th pitcher the Braves have used this season, not counting Charlie Culberson.
The Braves take the series 2 games to 1, and have won 9 of the last 10 to open up a 2.5 game lead over the Phillies. The Great Pumpkin is on the way in the form of Dallas Keuchel, despite the skepticism of some, and it’s only appropriate as Philadelphia leaves town to recognize the signing as a crack in the Liberty hell. It’ll only take, oh, about 2 straight losses to start back the drums of doom, but today was a good day.
The Mets come to town Monday at 7:20; Mike Soroka vs. Zach Wheeler scheduled. Exhale.
“Skepticism of some” was mostly me, and I’m really looking forward to eating crow.
Thanks to everyone who said they like The Athletic. I subscribed when it first started, and like most who wore tired of Jim Bowden years ago, I didn’t find the content very valuable, so I cancelled. But at $2.49/mth, I’m all over that now.
Thanks for the laugher, Rusty; though even with a big lead, Folty quieted my chuckles in the third through fifth. This looked good in his no pressure innings.
I do so enjoy beating Philadelphia. Now let’s take it to the Mutts. Go Braves!
Zach Wheeler*
Sorry about that, thanks Braves14. Fixed.
When’s the last time we’ve heard from Chief? As the ultimate bad weather fan, it is hard to find negatives after winning 9 out of 10.
@4: *Zack Wheeler
Paulding County’s own Zachary (Zack) Wheeler
Lol, I may be inaccurate, but I’m slow.
The Nats are closer to last place than first place.
@8: classic. Well done.
Rob…agree about Folty’s at bats…a disgrace
Kingery…at bat of the year…there should be an award
Ynoa…the only first pitch ever to have brick particles embedded in it before being stored for posterity…Statcast had max altitude @ 11 feet.
Donaldson looks like he’s got quite a bit of life left in him. I love seeing that guy bring the rain.
#11
I’d say Fried has dibs on that award. Have we already forgotten his extended at-bat Friday night?
Jesse Biddle with Seattle:
9.0 IP, 16 H, 10 R (8 ER), 5 BB, 6 SO, 3 WP
woof.
Hey Biddle Biddle threw a pitch down the middle of the plate like he didn’t care.
@13
Great at bat, agreed…mine to Kingery was for raw courage, Folty was throwing all around him.
@16
Gotcha.
DeRo had a major 15 minute puff peace on the Braves this morning, comparison to the Phillies etc.
Apparently he visited late last week and had 40 minutes with Snit. Fly on the wall and all that.
For Rob:
DOB’s latest had an interesting note on Donaldson, and one reason why he may be feeling more comfortable at the dish:
https://theathletic.com/1030693/2019/06/16/josh-donaldsons-bat-heating-up-plus-dallas-keuchel-and-sean-newcomb-updates/
(Of course, this IMMEDIATELY reminded me of the time when F’in Success bought a pitching machine and had it throw him sliders. So this isn’t a panacea. But it’s cool to see him taking things into his own hands.)
If it’s assumed that Ynoa goes back down as soon as Keuchal appears I would want to disagree with that.
We have 2 or 3 BP candidates to take their leave and never be heard from again.
Ynoa has all the future in the world for us and it is starting at a level already of use – Sobotka plus.
He might even turn out to be a closer, later this year. I hear on the grapevine he will sign for 3 years/1 million. Wow. Financial husbandry too, what a package!
New post.