Marcell Ozuna’s NL-leading 18th home run helps Braves rally past Nationals, 5-2….

June 7, 2024 Sports Gist Baseball 0

Braves’ offense wakes up late in 5-2 win over Nationals

Atlanta’s bats came alive late to help them to a 5-2 win in their series opener in Washington

Atlanta Braves v Los Angeles Dodgers

The Atlanta Braves looked lifeless through the first six innings Thursday night but their offense came alive late in a 5-2 win over the Washington Nationals.

Reynaldo López got off to a great start retiring the side in order in the first. Keibert Ruiz blooped in a one-out single in the second, but Lopez struck out Joey Meneses and Joey Gallo to leave him stranded. Lopez added another strikeout in a perfect third.

While Lopez cruised his first time through the Nationals’ order, Mitchell Parker was doing the same to the Braves. Parker dominated the Braves in Atlanta last week and picked right back up where he left off in this one retiring the first 12 hitters he faced on just 36 pitches.

Parker retired Matt Olson to start the fifth before Adam Duvall reached when he was hit in the toe by a pitch. However, he was left stranded as Sean Murphy flew out and Michael Harris grounded out to end the frame.

While the Braves’ offense was floundering, Lopez did his best to keep them in it. He allowed a single to Jesse Winker but nothing else in the fourth. He walked Joey Gallo with one out in the fifth but then struck out Nick Senzel and Jacob Young to keep the game scoreless.

The Braves finally got their first hit in the sixth inning when Orlando Arcia hit a ground-rule double to start the inning. Brian Anderson followed with a line out to CJ Abrams. It looked like they might break through when Ozzie Albies sent one into the right center gap but Jacob Young ran it down with a sliding grab for the second out. Arcia moved to third on the play but was left stranded as Austin Riley grounded out to end the inning.

The Nationals finally broke through against Lopez in the sixth as Abrams connected on an 0-2 fastball for a home run to right. Lane Thomas followed with a homer of his own to left to make it 2-0.

Things got worse from there for Lopez. Winker singled and then moved to second on yet another single by Luis Garcia. Lopez was able to restore order though as Ruiz lined out sharply to Albies. Meneses then grounded into a much-needed double play to end the inning.

The offense finally showed some signs of life in the seventh. Marcell Ozuna singled to lead off the inning. After Olson lined out to right, Duvall sent one into the bullpen for a two-run shot to tie the game.

Aaron Bummer replaced Lopez to start the seventh inning. Despite the rough sixth inning, it was another good outing for Lopez who allowed six hits and two runs over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one while throwing 86 pitches.

Bummer worked a scoreless seventh and the Braves’ offense finally broke out against Hunter Harvey. Albies doubled with two outs to get things started and then came around to score on a single by Riley to make it 3-2.

Atlanta wasn’t finished as Ozuna followed with his 18th home run of the season to push the lead to 5-2.

Joe Jimenez made quick work of the Nationals in the eighth and Raisel Iglesias closed things out in the ninth to seal the win.

The Braves grab a much-needed win after the disappointing effort Wednesday. The win moves them back to 10 games over .500 at 35-25 for the season. The series will continue Friday with Chris Sale matching up against Jake Irvin.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*