Hello, July. Hello, elusive win #50. Hello and safe travels to Mexico, English World Cup fan contingent. Braves Country, there was a lot to like about tonight’s 5-1 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals.
But first, the wink heard ‘round the world.
The offense would eventually come alive late after being pretty dormant (again), but for seven whole innings, the Braves’ lead was courtesy of Ozzie Albies. Ozzie is more than worthy of being this year’s starting second baseman for the NL at the All-Star game. Our petit sparkplug deserves the world.
Ozzie was doing it all himself versus starter Michael McGreevy, starting with an RBI double in the first to drive in Drake Baldwin. We don’t talk about what else happened there because Ozzie then made up for it with a go-ahead solo homer in the third inning to make it 2-1 Braves.
And thus the score would stay for the majority of the game.
This was a sorely needed outing for Reynaldo López. He was fired up as he left the mound for the final time tonight, and rightfully so. Giving us a sense of deja vu, he had yet another shaky first inning. He gave up a ground rule double to Iván Herrera, who would come home to score on a Jordan Walker single. But he held the Cardinals to those two hits in his five innings of work. The only other baserunner allowed was JJ Wetherholt, who worked a walk in the top of the third. The velocity returned, the locations were better, and he ended the night with six strikeouts. It was a beautiful glimpse of the Reynaldo we’ve been missing.
And thankfully, we can appreciate the outing all the more since they didn’t succumb to the temptation of having him go back out for the sixth after throwing 69 pitches. The call to the bullpen was to bring in the D’s: Didier Fuentes was sandwiched between our two lefty Dylans, and all three threw perfect innings to preserve the slim one-run lead.
Michael McGreevy got Chris Sale’d by his offense: pitching a quality start, but being charged with the loss. He departed after six innings of two-run ball and was followed by Max Rajcic, who worked around two walks to keep the score 2-1. But reliever Justin Bruihl was not so lucky. Facing the top of the order, he walked Drake Baldwin and Ozzie reached on a fielding error by Blaze Jordan. Matt Olson’s flyout allowed Baldwin to advance to third. Michael Harris II then came through with an RBI single for a much-needed insurance run.
Gordon Graceffo came in to get the remaining two outs and immediately allowed an inherited run to score as Mauricio Dubón hit a sacrifice bunt sans the sacrifice. Cue the Ozzie wink.
Dominic Smith wanted in on the action and singled to right, but Jordan Walker made an unbelievable throw to cut down Harris II at the plate. This allowed Dubie to get to third.
Friends, rejoice. Your eyes do not deceive you – that’s is Austin Riley at the plate in the highlight below. And he does hit an RBI single to make it 5-1 Braves.
While it was no longer a save situation in the ninth, he was up, so Raisel Iglesias jogged out and promptly slammed the door. Braves, and I cannot emphasize this enough, win.
Maybe the problem really was June… only time will tell. In addition to a month-opening victory, López’s great start and the bullpen usage here means they were able to stay away from Hurston Waldrep, who could make the start in tomorrow’s rubber match / series finale. But that’s a tomorrow problem. For tonight, just enjoy this win. We really needed it.
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