The Atlanta Braves took on the Miami Marlins looking to secure a series win after scoring nine runs in the ninth inning yesterday. If they won, it would bring them within one game of the standings of the Marlins, not that it really matters this late in the season.
In what ended up being a crazy game, Profar started it off with a bang. Doing his best Ronald Acuña Jr. impression, he led the game off with a solo shot to make the score 1-0 on a ball that just skimmed over the top of the fence. After an Olson
strikeout, Acuña walked to try and keep the offense going and then moved to second on a groundout, but ultimately the offense came to a halt on an Albies groundout. No worries though, there will be plenty more.
Joey Wentz struggled in his last start and clearly would like a nice rebound. He started the game off well by inducing a pop up and groundball to start the game. Marsee singled and then stole second, but then Alvarez was able to make the play at third on a fielders choice to end the inning.
In the second both Harris and Alvarez flied out, but then jake Fraley came up to bat and recorded his first hit on the Braves with a single in his first at-bat. A groundout prevented anymore offense though.
Wentz looked great in the second inning. After striking out Wagaman on four pitches, he produced two more groundouts.
The third inning is where things went bonkers. Profar walked and then Matt Olson hit his twentieth HR of the year to make the score 3-0. Acuña was then pegged by a pitch inside close to the hands. Acuña was clearly mad, and it appears Gusto may have potentially done it because he was mad at some calls, but there is no telling for sure. The benches cleared and then Brian Snitker was ejected. Acuña stayed in the game.
This was clearly the fire the Braves needed because Baldwin walked and then Ozzie Albies hit a bomb off the foul poll to make the score 6-0. After Harris and Alvarez were retired, Fraley collected his second hit. This time, a double. Bruján hit a sharp 96.5 MPH liner to the SS Otto Lopez to end the drama filled top of the inning.
Wentz did not slow down and retired all three hitters in the third. In the top of the fourth the Braves decided they were not done yet scoring runs. After another Profar walk, Olson flied out, but Acuña once again reached base on his second walk of the game. Badlwin flied out one he just missed and then Albies came through again and picked up RBIs number four and five on a single to deep right field and then advanced to second on the throw home. Michael got in on the fun and knocked in Albies with a single of his own. Ryan Gusto was replaced, but the score was now 9-0. Former Braves prospect Freddy Tarnok came in and struck out Alvarez to end the top of the fourth.
Wentz kept on rolling by creating contact in ways the defense could field it. Lopez flied out. Marsee collected his second hit off Wentz, but it was not a big deal because right after that Wentz induced a GIDP. The Braves were finally slowed down in the fifth. Fraley’s 1.000 batting average in a Braves uniform ended with a strikeout and Bruján followed with a groundout. Profar walked for the third time this game so far, but Olson was called out on strikes on a changeup up in the zone.
Wentz finally showed some weakness in the fifth. He sat down the first two hitters to include a strikeout of Myers, but the he walks Liam Hicks and Derek Hill followed that up with a double to Profar to make the score 9-1. This did not deter Wentz as he was able to strike out Acosta to end the inning.
In the sixth the Braves kept rolling. Acuña was retired, which was a rarity in this game, but that was not a big deal. Baldwin drew a walk and after an Ablies strikeout, Harris hit his seventeenth HR of the year to make the score 11-1 and collect his second and third RBI of the game. Alvarez lined out to end the top of the sixth, but the Braves answered the Marlins run and added an insurance run on top of it.
Wentz stayed in the game in the sixth inning, which given the game script makes a ton of sense. He rewarded that choice by recording two strikeouts and only facing four hitters. He walked Marsee along the way. He could not seem to get him out today.
Seth Martinez came in the game to pitch for Miami. He sat down the first two hitters, but then Profar had one of the best at-bats of the year. After going down 0-2, he made Martinez throw thirteen pitches. Yes, thirteen. Then, Profar took him deep to make the score 12-0.
Matt Olson then followed that up with his thirty-fifth double of the season. Acuña then collected his third walk of the game. This resulted in a mound visit. Drake Baldwin then drew his third walk of the game to load the bases. Albies flied out to end the top of the seventh, but I think we can all forgive him. Side note, if three of your top four hitters draw three walks a piece, odds highly favor your team winning that game.
Joey Wentz may be able to make an argument for today being one of his best starts in his MLB career. He stayed in for the seventh and recorded two outs while giving up a single before being pulled for Hunter Stratton. He finished his after with 6.2 innings of work while allowing one run on three singles, a double, and two walks. He recorded five strikeouts. Stratton gave up a single, but then was able to get Acosta to fly out on a slider right down the middle.
Javier Sanoja came in to pitch the eighth for the Marlins. He got Harris to pop up, and Alvarez to line out but then Fraley singled for his third hit of the afternoon. Bruján struck out to end the top of the eighth. Interestingly, Eli White came in the game to play first base. At the time it did not seem like an injury had taken place. With Stratton still in the game, he was able to sit down all three hitters he faced, to include striking out Marsee on three pitches, Marsee was easily the hottest hitter for the Marlins today.
Profar, who looked invincible at the plate, was finally sat down in the ninth with a flyout, followed by Eli White doing the same. Acuña then walked for his fourth time this game. That does not even include the time he reached base on a HBP. Baldwin then flied out to end the top of the ninth. Stratton stayed in the game to finish in out and sat down all three hitters he faced.
The Braves not only exploded with big hits but also had an insane amount of plate discipline with ten walks. Joey Wentz rebounded from his previous poor start, and the Braves had one of their most complete team wins all season.
The Braves and their red hot offense will be facing the first place Phillies tomorrow at 6:45 EDT.
