TAKEAWAYS: Braves score three in the ninth, snap losing streak
The Braves made some noise against Pirates closer David Bednar last night, but came up short. But they came back and got him tonight. Here are some takeaways.
Ronnie Rockets
Ronald Acuña Jr.'s night started in about the best possible way...
..and it ended in a much less fun way.
The lead-off bomb, the 31st of Ronald's career, left the bat at over 109 mph, while the fastball that knocked him out of the game was moving at a sizzling 97 mph. Fortunately his removal appears to be purely precautionary as the team reported that X-rays were negative. At this time of the season, though, we do consider that Acuña is one of four Braves to have played in every game this season. At some point, you figure Brian Snitker will sit those guys, but perhaps not during a losing streak.
The Other Guys
The Braves' backups have seen little use this season, as we know Snit likes to roll that regular lineup out there as often as he can. But tonight, with Travis d'Arnaud getting the start behind the plate, Kevin Pillar and Forrest Wall coming on to replace Eddie Rosario and Ronald Acuña, and the recently acquired Nicky Lopez pinch-running in the ninth, the boys on the bench made their presence felt.
Including d'Arnaud is a bit of a cheat here, as he plays much more than the other guys and we all know what he's capable of. And he showed it tonight, doubling three times and driving in two runs. And while he was out of the game when it happened, it was his spot in the order that scored the tying run.
Kevin Pillar has been quietly huge for Atlanta this season, producing at a high rate in relatively few opportunities. As the right-handed side of a platoon on a team that rarely sees left-handed starting pitchers, Pillar sometimes disappears for long stretches. But he's a pro's pro, and he's provided quality outfield defense and more than his share of big hits in his opportunities this season. Tonight, he may have delivered his biggest knock yet.
And that's Nicky Lopez, the defensive whiz reserve infielder, scoring the tying run in place of Travis d'Arnaud. This was his first action as a Brave, but I imagine we'll be seeing him more as the season wears on. Fellow infielder Orlando Arcia, who now seems like a dependable regular despite how unlikely that may have seemed back in the spring, had a huge night, launching a solo homer in the sixth and then delivering the go-ahead double in the ninth.
Forrest Wall also logged his first major league at-bats tonight, though they didn't go so well for him. But the point is you always need depth, and on a night when the MVP frontrunner left the game early, the biggest blows came from some of the least celebrated players. (And they finally came up with that big two-out hit, two of them even, which has been a bugaboo of late.)
Starter Struggles/Bullpen Buoyant
Yonny Chirinos didn't have as good a night, serving up four gopher balls to a relatively light-hitting Bucs lineup. Max Fried's Friday return notwithstanding, this has been a rough stretch for the starting rotation, with Chirinos holding on by the skin of his teeth, Bryce Elder looking fatigued, and Spencer Strider and Charlie Morton being inconsistent. There's also a potential storm brewing when it comes to covering innings for this weekend's series at the Mets, which includes a doubleheader on Saturday.
On the other hand, the bullpen got it done. They kept the club in it last night and put them in position to get the comeback W tonight. Joe Jiménez, Brad Hand, Kirby Yates, and Raisel Iglesias tossed four shutout frames in relief of Chirinos, and while Raisel made it interesting in the ninth, he picked up his 21st save. And the drama in both halves of the ninth inning, along with the Braves' recent frustrations, contributed to an emotional display from the dugout when the final out was recorded.
We don't need to make too much out of this recent losing streak, as it's a long season and these things are inevitable. The poor form of the rotation is more of a lingering concern, but that, too, can be righted, particularly if Kyle Wright (pun definitely intended) can eventually return to the roster. But through the long season, there are certain wins that feel more satisfying, more cathartic than others. This feels like one of them. Let's see if the club can carry the momentum forward through the stretch of very winnable games they have upcoming. Speaking of...
On Deck
The same two teams are back at it again tomorrow night, with first pitch again scheduled for 7:05 Eastern at PNC Park. Max Fried (3-1, 1.69 ERA, 2.58 FIP) makes his second start since coming off the IL, and he'll hope to carry over the dominant form he showed at Wrigley Field on Friday. The Pirates counter with rookie righty Quinn Priester (2-1, 8.69 ERA, 7.24 FIP), who'll be making his fifth career start. The teams will play again on Thursday afternoon before the Braves play four games in three days against the diminished Mets in Queens.
Tomorrow's broadcast is available inside Braves Country on Bally Sports South and on MLB.TV outside of the broadcast area. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com.
Check out Braves Today on Socials!
Follow Braves Today on Twitter!
Like Braves Today on Facebook!
Check out the homepage for more Atlanta Braves News!
Subscribe to Braves Today on YouTube!
Get Exclusive Braves Merchandise from FOCO