When the Braves lead by 2 or more runs with 2 outs left in the 9th inning, it’s usually a done deal with Craig Kimbrel on the mound. On the rare occasion Kimbrel loses control of his pitches, especially the fastball, he can be susceptible to allowing base runners. Even in that case, second year player Anthony Rendon isn’t expected to turn on 98MPH fastball from the best closer in the game to tie the game at 4 with a 2-run homer.
Prior to the late heroics by the Nationals offense, the Atlanta Braves were in total control from start to finish. LHP Mike Minor had his best start of the season, going 7 innings and allowing only 2 runs. He also struck out 11 batters. Minor was able to pound the Nationals inside with the fastball and throw his off-speed pitches down in a way that kept the aggressive Nats hitters off balance. Just like Gavin Floyd did the night before, Mike Minor was able to throw strike one. Of the 29 batters he faced, Minor threw a first pitch strike to 24 of them. Being able to grab strike one allowed Minor to remain aggressive in the zone, especially on the inner third of the plate. 5 of Minor’s 11 strikeouts were called third strikes, which shows that he had the hitters guessing all night. They never seemed to be able to pick up on his pitches.
To go along with the superb starting pitching, the Atlanta Braves offense was doing a good job of making the Nat’s ace Stephen Strasburg work hard for every out. It took Strasburg 107 pitches to get through 6 innings, in which he allowed 4 runs on 9 hits. The hard-throwing right hander did strike out 8 batters however, but the Braves offense made him work hard and go deep into counts. That’s been the Braves strategy every time they face Strasburg, and it’s worked more times than not.
The Atlanta Braves were able to get off to good start offensively, with a solo blast by first baseman Freddie Freeman. In 8 games against the Nationals this season, Freeman is hitting .515 (17 for 33) with 3 HRs and 5 doubles. Not only has Freeman done well against Washington, he has started to heat up in the past week, going 13 for 34 with 6 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 homerun. Evan Gattis extended his hit streak to 19 games, going 2-6 with the go ahead RBI single in the 13th inning. Jason Heyward has thrived thus far in the 5th spot in the lineup. He went 2-6 with 2 RBIs on the double he hit off of Strasburg in the 5th inning. Heyward has been sneaky hot for the last 37 games. He’s hitting .311 (47-151) with 6 homers, 21 RBIs, a .388 OBP, and a .477 slugging percentage. He’s turned his season around after a slow start in April, and now that Heyward is batting 5th, he has an opportunity to drive more runs in, and help this lineup become deeper and more dangerous.
As mentioned earlier, the Braves were in control until the 9th inning, when Craig Kimbrel blew a 2-run lead. He was able to escape without allowing the walk-off victory. Neither team could muster up any offense for the next 3 innings. Fortunately the Nationals kept giving the Braves more opportunities to regain the lead, and the Braves did so in the top of the 13th inning. It was the 3rd 13 inning game the Braves played in the last week. Surprisingly, the rally was started by light-hitting B.J. Upton who drew a walk in front of Freddie Freeman. Freeman proceeded to guide a single through the right side, and put runners at 1st and 3rd. Evan Gattis was able to pull his hands inside and get around on a fastball that put the Braves on top. Simmons added another run on a fielder’s choice to give the Braves a 6-4 lead. The score held up as Jordan Walden made quick work of the Nationals as he grabbed his 2nd save of the season.
The Braves seem to be dialed in on the Nationals strategies. Atlanta is now 24-7 against Washington in the last 31 games. That is complete domination of one team, especially one you play 19 times in the regular season.