Today's Three Things: Braves walk off Mets to officially start "March to 90"
Atlanta's push for a playoff spot got started with an extra innings win
The Atlanta Braves walked off the New York Mets in ten innings, 5-4 in Truist Park on Tuesday night.
Here’s Today’s Three Things from the contest.
The Turning Point
Come with me, if you will, to the bottom of the 8th inning.
Atlanta was down 4-1, but rallying. After a walk by Nick Allen and consecutive singles from Ronald Acuña Jr. and pinch-hitter Alex Verdugo, the bases were loaded for the heart of the order.
And then, a NOBLETIGER loomed.1
Matt Olson struck out. Austin Riley hit a shallow fly ball to right field, one that couldn’t get the runner in from third.
Enter Marcell Ozuna. The Big Bear got a 2-2 splitter belt high, but inside and just muscled it over the glove of third baseman Ronny Mauricio and into the left-field corner. By the time left fielder Brandon Nimmo could get it back in, the bases were empty and the game was tied at four-all.
Atlanta would get a great defensive play from Ronald Acuña Jr. in the 9th and then an absolutely lock-down outing from Raisel Iglesias in the 10th to put them in position for Austin Riley’s walk-off sacrifice fly, but they don’t get there without Marcell Ozuna.
Today’s Player of the Game
Let’s split the award between two guys, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Marcell Ozuna.
On a day when the Braves only had seven hits, including just one for extra bases, part of the reason they struggled to get offense going was that the Mets almost completely refused to pitch to Ronald. Starter David Peterson, staked to a two-run lead before he took the mound, pitched around the former MVP in the first inning. Ronald went 1-2 with two runs scored and three walks, including an intentional one in the 10th. As I alluded to above, he also made a great leaping play at the wall to take a catch away from Pete Alonso, making a strong throw back into the infield to double up Juan Soto.
Ozuna’s the other choice. Getting the bases-clearing double was big, obviously, but just being as productive as he was (two hits) with his hip injury is notable.
What You’ll Be Talking About
The pitching for Atlanta.
Spencer Schwellenbach stumbled, somewhat, allowing four runs overall on five hits. If you ask him, though, he’ll cite the three walks as the major problems here. After Juan Soto’s solo shot in the first inning, Schwellenbach allowed two more runs in the 2nd after a single to Jeff McNeil and a walk to Francisco Alvarez gave Tyrone Taylor the chance to flare a bases-clearing double into right field just shy of a diving Acuña. It was hit just 81.2 mph and had an expected batting average of .040, but it kept tailing away from Ronald towards the line and landed just past his outstretched glove. Taylor added a solo shot in the 5th for the fourth and final run charged to Schwellenbach, who was still able to make it through seven innings on 97 pitches thanks to his efficiency with getting outs. He finished with 22 whiffs and a 39% CSW, striking out eight.
After that, manager Brian Snitker correctly pulled every string. He went with curveballer Pierce Johnson for the 8th and then, with the game tied, trusted lefty Dylan Lee to keep it tied in the 9th (which he did with a defensive assist from Ronald). Raisel Iglesias then came in for the tenth and got through the inning in just eleven pitches, not allowing placed runner Luisangel Acuña to even advance from 2nd to 3rd.
What’s Next for the Braves?
The Braves have a chance to take the series thanks to the pitching advantage on Wednesday night. Chris Sale (4-4, 2.479) gets the start for Atlanta opposite Paul Blackburn (0-0, 6.75) at 7:15 PM ET.
No Outs, Bases Loaded, Ending with Team Incapable of Getting Easy Run