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Braves 7 Reds 6
The Braves rallied from an early 4-1 deficit to beat the Reds 7-6 at Truist Park. They will go for the series sweep Wednesday night.
The Reds trailed 1-0, led 4-1, trailed 7-4, got within 7-6 in the 8th inning.....but that was it.
Had a shot: Jonathan India singled and stole second representing the tying run in the 8th. Kevin Newman pinch-hit for Jake Fraley (2 H, 2 BB) with two outs and struck out facing LH Dylan Lee. Newman was among the best in MLB vs LH last year (.361) and .400 this year (4 for 10). LHB hit .163 vs Lee. Fraley is .151 lifetime vs LHP.
Luis Cessa: 3.2 IN 7 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 HR, 71 pitches/45 strikes. He fell behind 1-0 on a Matt Olsen 1st inning homer. Was given a 4-1. Then gave it back at 5-4.Let's be honest, he serves absolutely no purpose pitching in the rotation. He leaves them in a bind from an inning standpoint each start.
Kyle Wright: 4 IN, 4 H, 4 R, 4 BB.....75 pitches. He really struggled in season debut off the IL with shoulder issues. The 4th inning was rough.
3x4: The Reds busted out for four runs in the 3rd inning, sparked by hustle and plate discipline. 2 singles, 2 walks, a double and a HBP. India singled, TJ Friedl bounced a one hopper over 1B Matt Olsen and hustled it into a double. Fraley walk. Tyler Stephenson was hit by a pitch to force in a run to make it 1-1. Spencer Steer beat out a 2-out bouncer to Ozzie Albies at 2B that plated two runs when Fraley hustled all the way from 2nd to make it 3-1. Jose Barrero walked (1st season) with 'em loaded to force in a fourth run. The athleticism of this Reds team is light years ahead of last season.
Bullpen: 4.1 IN, 2 R. Alex Young 0.2, R....Fernando Cruz 1.2, H, inherited runner scored....Kevin Herget 1.0, H, 2 BB, R. Derek Law 1.0, 2 BB, 2 K.
Jake The Rake: Fraley was on base four times, 1B, BB, BB, 1B, 2 SB, R.
Steering right along: Steer collected 3 hits, 2B, 2 RBI. That's 5 hits last two games.
Barrero Bomb: Jose rocketed a two-run homer (455-feet) in the 8th inning. He also drew a walk and drove in three runs.
Rough night: Wil Myers 0 for 5, 4 K and a foul pop out. He's down to .194.
Obliterated: Matt Olsen crushed a Luis Cessa 1st inning 92 mph fastball 448 feet......it left the bat at 118.6 mph.
Target practice: Tyler Stephenson was hit each of his first two plate appearances and didn't appear to be happy about it.
Thief! The Reds stole three bases, 2 by Fraley and 1 by India.
Leveling off: Jason Vosler is 1 for his last 17 and down to .188.
I don't get it: Does any infielder get in front of hot shot grounders, anymore? Barrero played a ball to his back hand that he clearly could have gotten his body in front off.
Non-rotational force: Cessa and Connor Overton serve absolutely no purpose pitching in this rotation. Cessa has pitched 9.0 innings over two starts (5.1, 3.2) and Overton 8.0 innings over two starts (4.0, 4.0). That's four starts = 17 innings. Gotta think Luke Weaver is up soon, maybe even Chase Anderson.
Next: Reds/Hunter Greene vs Braves/Spencer Strider, 7:20...Inside Pitch 6:20