The Atlanta Braves took on the the San Francisco Giants this afternoon looking to complete a four game sweep at Oracle Park.
Max Fried took the mound after four shaky starts since returning from the injured list and took on Giants ace Logan Webb. After scoring thirteen runs last night, there was hope that the Braves’ offense could ride the momentum into keeping the scoring rolling.
The first inning was not a good sign of things to come. Michael Harris did not repeat his first inning magic and struck out on four pitches to start the game, followed by Austin Riley grounding out and Marcell Ozuna popping out to end the inning quickly with Webb only tossing twelve pitches.
Fried was able to get the job done in his half of the first inning, but it did not come as easily as Webb. Tyler Fitzgerald led off with a single. Mark Canha, who has had great success against Fried in the past struck out, but Fitzgerald stole second. Fried was able to follow that up with a strikeout to Ramos with Fitzgerald yet again stealing and making it to third. Chapman then popped up to end the inning.
It was another quite inning for the Braves in the second as both Olson and d’Arnaud struck out back-to-back, followed by a groundout to Arcia. The second was not kind to Fried. He gave up three straight singles to load the bases with zero outs. He was able to get Casali to strike out, but brand new rookie McCray bunted for a single that scored a run on a throw that was mishandled by d’Arnaud. Fried got the ball there in time, but it was not meant to be and it was scored a single.
Fitzgerald, already up to the plate again, hit a sac fly to make the score 0-2 with two outs and two on. Fried then walked Canha to load the bases again, but fortunately got Ramos to groundout to end the inning preventing further damage.
In the top of the third the Braves finally got their first base runner when Kelenic hit a single, but that hope was shattered right away when Laureano grounded into a double play. Merrifield then hit a fly out to end the inning allowing Webb to see the minumum number of hitters through three innings.
Fried was able to settle down in the third. He sent the Giants back to the dugout three-up-three down with back-to-back strikeouts and a groundout.
In the fourth it looked liked the Braves may finally break through with some fortune on their side. Harris hit a single that looked like it may have been caught, followed by Riley making it safe on a missed catch by the second baseman on a botched force at second. The Braves now had two on with zero outs. It was not meant to be as Ozuna struck out and then Olson hit a line drive right at first baseman Canha who turned a double play to end the inning.
Fried had another solid inning as he was able to induce a pop up, a groundout, and a line out to SS. McCray, who got the earlier bunt single drew a walk during that span, but no damage was done.
The Braves were quiet once again in with d’Arnaud and Arcia both grounding out, followed by Kelenic striking out. Webb was now through five innings only allowing one hitter more than the minimum.
In the bottom half of the fifth Fried looked like his normal self with another three-up-three-down inning, keeping the game within striking distance should the offense decide to show up. However, the offense did not show up in the sixth inning, with Webb once again seeing the minimum number of hitters.
Fried came out again to pitch the sixth. He was able to get Encarnacion to groundout, but then gave up a walk. For some reason, Jesse Chavez out of all pitchers was brought in. He then promptly gave up a two-run HR to Casey Schmitt to make the score 0-4. Chavez got Casali out, but then gave up yet another HR. This time to McCray, for his first career HR. Fitzgerald hit a fly out to end the inning, but the score was now 0-5.
Fried ended his night with 5.1 innings pitched, five hits, three walks, and five strikeouts.
In the seventh, the Giants sent out Webb again. This Ozuna was able to get a single, but that was the only offense the Braves could muster. In the bottom of the seventh, Chavez was left in the game, as if the Braves were not in playoff contention. He got Canha to groundout, but then gave up back-to-back doubles making the score 0-6. He struck out Encarnacion, but then was replaced by Bummer who finished up the inning with a strikeout.
The eighth looked like the Braves may get something going. After Arcia grounded out, and Kelenic struck out, Laureano walked, followed by a Merrifield single to put runners on the corners. Finally, the Giants replaced Webb after he has pitvhed 7.2 innings and had seen only four hitters over the minimum. Tyler Rogers then got Harris to fly out to end the inning.
Bummer gave up a single in the eighth, but settled down and set down the next three hitters. The Braves were now down to their last chance. Spencer Bivens came in to pitch for the Giants to face the heart of the order. Riley and Ozuna both grounded out, and Matt Olson struck out swinging to end the game 0-6.
The Braves offense was anemic today with only four hits (all singles) and one walk. This is not to take away from Webb is a perennial Cy Young candidate yearly. However, it was still not a good look.
I was also very questionable to not only put Jesse Chavez in to pitch in that spot, but to leave him in after giving up two HRs in the same inning.
The Braves will face the Angels tomorrow where they will hope to get the bats going again.
