Today's Three Things: Braves need late heroics to take series opener versus Washington
The Atlanta Braves made things dramatic but got the walkoff in the 9th inning
The Atlanta Braves once again won a one-run game, walking off the Washington Nationals 4-3 in Truist Park on Monday night.
Here’s Today’s Three Things from the contest.
The Turning Point
The bottom of the 9th, obviously.
In a tie game and with the bottom of the order due up, Atlanta eschewed the pinch hitters and stuck with the duo of Eli White and Nick Allen. The decision paid off.
White opened the inning with a single, lacing a sinker at 101.6 mph off of second baseman Nasim Nuñez’s glove and into right field. Allen then got White over to second base by laying down a bunt back to the pitcher, teeing up Alex Verdugo.
And ‘Dugie’ delivered.
Alex Verdugo laced an elevated 3-2 sinker back up the middle at over 100 mph, scoring White from second and getting the walkoff for Atlanta.
After a mini-slump over the last week or two, Verdugo went 2-4 tonight with a leadoff double and that single to bookend the game. Having Verdugo on base for the heart of the order is going to do wonders to help Atlanta’s offense get back to its prolific run-scoring ways.
Today’s Player of the Game
It could be Verdugo, but I think I’m going with Marcell Ozuna.
We wrote just this morning about how his new approach is just as valuable in a vacuum as his usual “hit ball hard” ways, but the offense around him wasn’t consistent enough to make it work.
Well, for a night, we saw both versions of Marcell.
Ozuna went 2-4 in this one, ripping an RBI single in the three-run third inning at 109.1 mph and then following that up with a 116 mph solo homer in the 5th inning. He also drew a walk in the first inning, putting two runners on for Michael Harris II (who flew out).
A blended approach for Ozuna, being more patient but being willing to get good wood on a mistake pitch (like he did for the homer, which was a belt high, center-cut fastball) is the best possible outcomes for the Braves.
What You’ll Be Talking About
Yet another blown save by Raisel Iglesias…but just like last night, you shouldn’t blame him for it.
After an early groundout, Iglesias gave up two consecutive singles and a groundout, putting two in scoring position. But just like last night, both of the hits came on very good pitches.
Keibert Ruiz single
Who swings at a 1-0 sinker off the plate, nevermind making good enough contact to shoot it to the opposite field? Can’t complain about that pitch selection or execution from Iglesias.
Luis Garcia single
If that Ruiz base hit was annoying, this one has to be infuriating. 1-1 changeup, farther outside than the previous one that was fouled off and lesser quality contact and it also gets through?
Dylan Crews reaches via error
Iglesias actually makes an error here, leaving a center-cut sinker for Crews…who shoots it back up the middle. Nick Allen, who has exceptional range and is the best shortstop in baseball from an Outs Above Average perspective, not only reached it but got around it.
And then promptly threw it away.
This was Allen’s first error of the season, coming at the worst possible time. Thankfully, the Braves ended up rallying and Allen got a bit of redemption with a sacrifice bunt to get White in scoring position.
What’s Next for the Braves?
The Braves have their fifth attempt to get back to .500 this season. Spencer Schwellenbach (1-3, 3.61 ERA) faces off with old friend Michael Soroka (0-2, 7.20 ERA) at 7:15 PM ET.
Unlike many others, I still think there is some worth with Iglesias, as lets face it, he has been real unlucky the past 2 outings. True he has matched a year's worth of home runs in a fourth of the season. If that can be corrected, he'll still be useful. The last 2 pitches that killed him were low and well off the plate designed for a swing and miss. No one would have expected the batter to 1, reach out and make contact, and 2, actually turn it into a hit. Also, don't forget, he threw his out pitch to get him out of the inning, and the defense let him down. He also mishandled a ball in front of him that was just unlucky, as he is a good fielder. Again, I think there is something left there to work with him.
Lindsay, I know you come up with stats that are admirably compelling. But, Rasiels case, one must look at the body of work. Almost 1/3rd of the way through the season and a 6.70 ERA? For your CLOSER??? Not a lot of options, though.
OK, Allen booted the ball. Why does Snitker play the same guys over and over and over until the average begins sinking, the defense becomes weaker when there are PLAYERS ON THE BENCH WHO NEVER PLAY??? Gotta play Arcia for Allen, and for Ozzie!!! Don't let Ozzie keep going out there every night, pressing. Give him a couple of days off per week till he figures it out. Look what a night off did for Verdugo!