The Game

When you load the bases with nobody out, you’re expected to score 2.3 runs on average. I checked whether it was any different in the first inning, where you’ve set up your lineup for big innings, and your cleanup hitter is at the plate. The mean over 11,988 games is 2.4 runs. In those 11,988 games, the team loading the bases in the first inning with no outs was shut out in that inning 550 times, about once in every 22 games.

Well, it happened tonight against Zack Wheeler. And when it did, you began to get the idea that this was going to be one of those nights. Martin Perez giving up 2 in the first and one in the second didn’t help.

Things began to look a little brighter when Ronald Acuña Jr. hit one 450 feet. (PS RAJ: you’re in Citizens Bank Park… you’re wasting a lot of feet.)

It looked like Perez settled down after that, but Kyle Schwarber begged to differ in the fourth, making it 4-1. Another couple of hits and it was time for a bullpen carousel, beginning with an extended appearance from Ray Kerr. Ha-Seong Kim saved a run with a great play on Kerr’s first pitch, after which Kerr pretty much dominated. 3 1/3 giving up only one hit was exactly what you need the long man to do.

The forgotten man, Austin Riley, got that run back in the 7th on a blast.

A chance to tie the game in the 8th died when RAJ hit into a double play.

Brent Suter stumbled through the bottom of the 8th and the Braves had their last chance in the 9th against closer Jhoan Duran. I’m not sure whether that H is silent or not. Harris struck out. Dubón grounded to short. Ozzie bounced to first.

All in all this game was very much like last night, reversing the teams. Three runs off a starter, not quite enough for the other team to catch up.

Tomorrow’s game on NBC at 1:10. Nobody said it would be easy.

(And the Carty jersey is retired for a while.)