Chicks dig this series, sources say. After combining for 9 long balls on Friday, the two teams hit 8 more on Saturday as the Braves end the Reds 12 game winning streak and even the series at a game each.
Travis d’Arnaud opened the scoring with a homer to right center in the top of the 2nd, and Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, and Marcell Ozuna joined the long ball parade as well. d’Arnaud ended the day with 4 hits, and Olson’s homer was the 200th of his career.
The Braves led throughout, opening up 3 – 0, 6 – 2, and 7 – 4 leads. The Reds fought back each time but could never tie it; the final effort coming in the 9th with back to back solo homers by Jake Fraley and Will Benson off Raisel Iglesias. Matt McLain and Spencer Steer were the other Reds to homer.
Jared Shuster allowed 7 hits and 4 runs in 3 2/3 innings with 2 strikeouts as for the second consecutive game the Braves starter could not complete the 4th inning. The bullpen was really good until Iglesias though, throwing 4 1/3 innings of 1 hit scoreless ball. Michael Tonkin went 2 1/3 hitless and was awarded the win. A.J. Minter lowered his ERA to 5.05; Iglesias raiseled his to 4.79.
The Braves are 16 – 4 in June, and 3 of those losses have been by only a single run. Win, win, win.
The Braves will more than likely ask Charlie Morton to eat some innings on Sunday no matter how well it is going, as they go for the series win at 1:40 Eastern. The Reds have not announced a starter at this time.
Relievers? More like smellievers!
It’s probably best not to draw too many conclusions about our pitching from this series. In fact, before drawing any conclusions, it’s probably best to keep in mind that Minter’s only thrown 36 innings all season, and Iglesias 20. Actually, it’s probably best to never draw any conclusions about relief pitching ever.
On the other hand, they could just be a bunch of belly-itchers.
Obligatory mention of the very fine season Will Smith is having in Texas for now…
Put on the Angels/Rockies game. You need to see it to believe it.
Probably will see a roster move calling up a backup infielder today now that Murphy is ready to play.
can someone explain to me Jim Bowden’s obsession with the braves trading Travis d’Arnaud. he’s written like at least 3 articles about how they should trade him for a #3-4 starter.
Yeah, that’s just silly. There’s no way the Braves would trade d’Arnaud.
Charlie hasn’t had it all game and now his luck has run out
The Hulk Hogan dude was in Detroit too…lol
Re as my nice inning by Yates