- And The Challenger Is – 2023 AFC West Preview - September 7, 2023
- Tyrese Maxey Is Approaching Stardom Very “Fast” - November 15, 2022
- Three Hot Takes From The Hawks’ Impressive Win Over Knicks - November 3, 2022
Atlanta, Ga– Addison Russell played hero by doubling in Javier Baez to tie the score for the Chicago Cubs (22-17) 2-2 in the ninth inning. Then, he scored later in the inning after Ben Zobrist singled to center for the game winning run.
Rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. homered in the bottom of the eighth to give the Atlanta Braves (25-16) a 2-1 lead. It was Acuna’s fourth home run of the season.
In the first inning, the Braves had an opportunity to score when Freddie Freeman attempted to steal second and the throw from catcher Wilson Contreras skipped off of Freeman’s cleats into left field. Freeman tried to score but Kyle Schwarber gunned him down at home plate for the out ending the inning.
Cubs threatened in the fourth with two outs and two on base. Russell struck out on a wild pitch and while trying to advanced to first, catcher Kurt Suzuki made an errand throw to first which got passed Freeman and allowed Contreras to score from second.
Atlanta answered in the bottom of the fourth when Ender Inciarte homered to right field for his fourth of the year to tie the score 1-1.
Braves pitcher Mike Mike Foltynewicz struck out 10 in 5.0 innings allowing three hits and no earned runs. Yu Darvish pitched 4.0 innings allowing three hits and one earned run with five strikeouts.
The Braves threatened again in a wild bottom of the fifth inning. After a single by Johan Camargo, pinch hitter Charlie Culberson grounded into a fielder’s choice but Baez made an errand throw that was behind Russell to allowed Camargo to advance to third and Culberson to second.
Right after that, Reserve Mike Montgomery threw a wild pitch which caused Camargo to attempt to steal home but Contreras threw a dart to Montgomery who was able to tag Camargo out on a close play.
With Ozzie Albies at the plate, Contreras received another ball he could’t handle. Culberson tried to steal third but Contreras was able to throw him out with a laser to third. Atlanta came out of the inning with no runs scored.
The Cubs were only able to muster up six hits while the Braves were allowed only five.
Carl Edwards Jr. was credited the win and Brandon Morrow was awarded the save. Arodys Vizcaino blew the save opportunity and collected the loss.
