After a disappointing series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Atlanta Braves hoped to get back on track Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Braves' offense got the better of the D-Backs' starting pitcher Robbie Ray (3-7, 3.13 ERA) who was taken out of the game after 4.1 innings pitched.
After having somewhat of an up and down season, Julio Teheran (8-6, 4.44 ERA) produced another tremendous home outing, allowing only one run on three hits in six innings pitched. Teheran had seven strikeouts and only one walk, recording one of his most impressive outings of the season.
The first run of the game was scored in the third inning. Andrelton Simmons got a one out single and was moved over to second base on a bunt by Teheran. Braves struck first when Jace Peterson drove in Simmons on a two-out triple. Cameron Maybin hit a triple right after that putting the Braves up 2-0.
Peterson's RBI triple that put the Braves on top.
The Braves scored again when Maybin drove in Simmons on an RBI single in the fifth inning, giving the Braves an extra insurance run for Teheran. Maybin is now hitting .389 with runners in scoring position.
The Diamondbacks fought back in the sixth inning, scoring one run on a RBI double by Paul Goldschmidt. Maybin made a seemingly impossible diving catch to end the inning before anymore damage could be done.
David Aardsma came in to pitch the seventh inning retiring all three batters in order. He ran into trouble in the eight inning, however, when Ender Inciarte hit a double and then advanced to third on a passed ball. A.J. Pollock was able to drive him in with a single, cutting the deficit to one. Aardsma was able to get out of the inning on a ground ball out from Goldschmidt.
Arodys Vizcaino got his third save of the year in as many opportunities.
Game Two Matchup
The Braves will send Mike Foltynewicz (4-3, 5.23 ERA) to the mound. Foltynewicz has had an up and down year with the Braves but his last outing against the Miami Marlins showed a lot of improvement, with him only allowing two runs in 5.1 innings pitched.
The Diamondbacks will use Patrick Corbin (2-3, 4.08 ERA). This will be Corbin's eighth start of the year. Corbin has only made two appearances against the Braves but has not allowed a run in those 10 innings.
Injury Update
Freddie Freeman is expected to return to the Braves' lineup on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres. He was placed on the disabled list with a right oblique strain.
Hector Olivera more than likely will not be activated until August 24th. He's been on the disabled list since July 13th with a left hamstring strain.