Braves' Inconsistent Start Continues in Series Split with Mets
The Atlanta Braves started a four game series against the Mets with back-to-back one run efforts in outings with excellent pitching. In game one, Bryce Elder through six innings with only two allowed, but an Austin Riley homer (11th) was the only score put on the board as the bats never got going. Spencer Strider was similar in the second game, striking out six in seven innings while giving up two. The offense did him no favors, with only a Travis d'Arnaud RBI single giving them their only run of the day to lose the first two games of the series.
Then the offense exploded again, despite Max Fried struggling with three runs allowed in four innings. Riley (12th), Ozzie Albies (4), and Sean Murphy (3) each going deep while Acuna picked up two hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win. The final game of the series was a blow out win, with Riley (13) AGAIN going yard while Adam Duvall found his first round tripper of the season. Matt Olson tacked on a two run double, while Chris Sale threw 6+ dominant innings in an 8-1 win.
The Braves currently stand at 7-6 and are heading down to Miami for a three game set against the Marlins (6-7). The Braves are 1.5 games back behind the fast starting Washington Nationals (8-4). Riley's 13 homers are currently more than nine entire teams as the third basemen is cruising to a monster career year with one of the greatest starts in team history. If Acuna (.184/.310/.367, 2 homers, 5 steals) and Olson (.200/.321/.356, one HR) get going, this team can get hot in a hurry.