Braves reliever pen implodes as Atlanta swept away by Dodgers



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The Braves’ box took a 3-2 lead late in the game after a few home runs from Eddie Rosario and Dansby Swanson, but Chris Martin was unable to protect the lead in the eighth as Atlanta lost 4-3 again.

As the Braves clung to a one-point lead, Trea Turner led the 8th with a brace. Max Muncy failed and Mookie Betts pulled the team aside in the ninth. Brian Snitker chose to take Tyler Matzek out for Chris Martin, and the Dodgers quickly went simple, walk, single, and it was 4-3.

The Dodgers took an early 2-0 lead behind the solo homers of Max Muncy (who is contractually obligated to make a nightly homer against Atlanta) and Austin Barnes. It was all the first offense they were going to muster, as Max Fried settled down nicely in the middle of the innings.

The Braves’ sticks were silent for most of the night, but a massive two-point shot from newcomer Eddie Rosario in the seventh tied the score at 2-2. Dansby Swanson followed in the eighth with a solo homerun to give Atlanta a 3-2 lead.

Fried threw brilliantly against a powerful Los Angeles lineup, allowing just two solo homers in six innings. He struck out nine strikes despite a tight strike zone at home all night. Fried has a 1.76 ERA in his last nine starts.

Max Scherzer was equally impressive in six innings. He was surprisingly taken out of the game after just 76 throws; the show suggested that Scherzer may not have felt 100% tonight and pulled out of the game earlier.

Home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez has been horrible all night.

It rained in the Phillies on Thursday, so the division leader is 2 games away.

The Braves will then travel to Coors Field for a four-game game with the Rockies this weekend. Colorado has been one of the league’s best teams at home with a 43-22 record (they’re 18-50 on the road). Touki Touissant will return to the mound on Thursday night and will be opposed by Chi Chi Gonzalez (3-6, 6.08 ERA). The first pitch is set for 8:40 p.m. ET.

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