The night started with a few bloops and a worm burner against Max Fried, and it seemed like it could be one of those nights.
However, someone decided to highlight the big ‘Hulk Smash’ sign in the center, and the Braves offense responded early and often in an unexpected but exciting offensive outburst to earn one of their most convincing victories of the year.
The three hits that Fried allowed in the first, had a combined take-off speed of 181.1 mph. Realmuto (58.9 mph), Segura (62.7 mph) and Gosselin (59.5 mph).
– Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 22, 2020
Max Fried looked good early on with two quick outs. However, in one of the most unfortunate acquisitions in recent memory, the BABIP gods decided that the Phillies needed a little luck and coveted a run to two bloops to the right field and a slow roller to Austin Riley. Fortunately, the Braves escaped the inning without further damage.
After the Braves at the bottom of the first were unable to create a scoring opportunity, both Fried and Aaron Nola were able to work quickly through the second inning. The third inning was not so friendly, as JT Realmuto reconnected on a base hit, this time a double to put him and Andrew McCutchen in scoring position. Fortunately, Jean Segura then grounded to the third base to end the threat.
At the bottom of the third, the Braves decided it was time to make a splash. And simply for good measure, they decided to make it two splashes in a row. Travis d’Arnaud and Marcell Ozuna teamed up on a two-run blast and solo home run to give the Braves a 3-1 lead. However. the bottom of the order also decided to make some noise, as Johan Camargo doubled in Austin Riley to make it 4-1. The damage resulted in Phillies ace Aaron Nola going before the end of the third inning.
Max Fried soon worked his way through the top of the fourth, and the Braves also quietly went down in the fourth inning. After Fried ran a lead off single round in the top of the fifth, he sat the Phillies to end his night after five innings. Five innings, five hits allowed, two walks and five strikeouts was Fried’s last line. While not as dominant as he was in previous outings, it was more than enough, as the Braves offense was just getting underway.
In the bottom of the fifth, Adam Duvall finished, Austin Riley hit on a foul, and Duvall then scored on another Camargo RBI double. Ender Inciarte then brought Riley home with a sacrificial flight. Dansby Swanson hit on an error that Camargo scored, Freddie Freeman ran, and d’Arnaud got another RBI on a single that Swanson scored. Ozuna then stepped up to the plate and added a three-run homer to capture an eight-run inning that resulted in an 11-1 lead for Atlanta.
After both teams made little noise in the sixth inning, the Phillies added their second run of the night at the top of the seventh. But it was far too late, as the Braves bullpen, including solid outings from Luke Jackson and Chris Martin, kept an eye on the Phillies and the Braves were able to win, 11-2.
It was the first time Atlanta has scored more than 10 runs since Aug. 4. The fact that it came against Nola, one of the best pitchers in the game so far this year who had a lot of success against Atlanta earlier, is no small feat. The strength of this team is the crime, and with the questions of the novice staff that crime will have to be reliable. That made a statement win against a division opponent, and there are now half 30 wounds left with 34 games to play, a positive development for a team that is hopefully on its way to the playoffs.
OH …. and one more memorable moment happened …
Cristian Pache struggled a bit on the plate to start the game, but he found success with his first big league hit. Hopefully it will be the first of a few thousand or more in a Braves uniform.
