Cubs 6, Braves 3

I suppose symmetry now requires a 14 game losing streak. I say symmetry is overrated.

The Braves dropped their 2nd straight game, as Kyle Wright gave up 11 hits and 5 runs over 6 innings and the Braves hardly threatened to overcome a 4 run early deficit.

The Cubs got 2 runs in the first, opening with consecutive singles, but Wright battled back with consecutive strikeouts. However, a Willson Contreras steal of 2nd put 2 runners in scoring position for Jonathan Villar, who delivered the 2 out single.

The Cubs added single runs in the 2nd and 3rd; the Braves would not answer until the 5th. Adam Duvall led off with his 8th homer of the season. Then with 1 out, Michael Harris II singled, and walks to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Dansby Swanson brought Austin Riley to the plate with the potential tying run. Riley delivered a sacrifice fly to cut the score to 4 – 2, but a Marcell Ozuna fly out ended the Braves only threat.

The Cubs scored their last run off Wright in the 6th, and a Rafael Ortega homer off Collin McHugh in the 7th accounted for their 6th run. McHugh settled down to get a couple of strikeouts in his inning, and as a positive Wright struck out 8 while walking only 1. Jesus Cruz struck out 2 in his perfect inning.

The Braves added their final run in the 9th on a Duvall double and Harris single. Duvall and Harris each went 2 – 4, as did Acuna and William Contreras. Willson will probably have more fun at the family dinner table tonight though, as he went 3 – 5, and I’m sure he won’t forget to raise the topic of the stolen base with his younger brother behind the plate either.

The Cubs take the series, and now the Braves will look to avoid their 1st 3 game losing streak of the season on Sunday at 2:20 Eastern; Ian Anderson and Kyle Hendricks scheduled.

18 Comments

sdp on June 18, 2022 at 8:21 pm

My guess is that the Olson trade and contract work out in the Braves favor when all is said and done, but I’ll admit that I’m pretty unimpressed with the early returns.

Putter on June 18, 2022 at 8:55 pm

@1 most definitely. His at bats are less than productive with a lot of weak contact

Tfloyd on June 18, 2022 at 9:03 pm

Olson is in a slump. But there is every reason to believe that his numbers by the end of the year will be near his career norms, which would be excellent.

Bravey on June 18, 2022 at 10:19 pm

Ozuna in the 4th spot ??? Really??? Wow …

Putter on June 19, 2022 at 1:38 pm

I am at Wrigley for the game today and I am 4-0 live at Braves game so hopefully we salvage a win.

EdK on June 19, 2022 at 2:06 pm

I am at Brookline for the U S Open. I played the course in 1999. One of my main suppliers is a member. My wife worked at Bryn Mawr Hospital before we moved in 2005. Her great relationship with the surgeons allowed me to play Merion, Pine Valley and others. Wonderful experiences.
The Brookline course is everything an exceptional course should be. And only one things counts, who took the fewest strokes. I was probably foolish at 79 to accept an invitation to play a round Tuesday.
Might I add, we walk, no CARTS.

Ben Emanuele on June 19, 2022 at 2:15 pm

I’ve been bothered by too many at bats without hard contact also, but Matt’s numbers are pretty much in line with his career numbers for batting average and on-base percentage. His career slugging percentage is higher, but he only had one season where he hit for both power and average. As a regular, he batted .195 in one season and has never hit more than .276. We were told about how hitting in Oakland’s large park depressed his numbers, and that we could expect more in Atlanta. He may still bring his power numbers up somewhat, especially if he is currently pressing to justify his contract. But he never has been Freddie Freeman, and we shouldn’t expect him to be.

Putter on June 19, 2022 at 2:36 pm

That was a bomb TDA hit

Nathan on June 19, 2022 at 3:53 pm

I wonder if a more fastball forward approach might help Ian keep some effectiveness through another time through the order. But honestly good fastball command like he has todAy will prob help him more than anything.

Rob Copenhaver on June 19, 2022 at 3:57 pm

Harris is on a 162-game fWAR pace of 8.4. Dang.

Another odd pacing star: Olson is now on pace for 63 doubles. The Atlanta record is 49 by Marcus Giles in 2003. So either these doubles start turning into something else (hopefully homers), or heâ€™s headed towards an Atlanta record.