The Atlanta Braves have struggled terribly all season away from Turner Field. Since the beginning of July, the Braves have lost 20 out of 24 road games, that's including today's loss to the Chicago Cubs. Atlanta's 21-45 record is the second worst road record in all baseball, only the Philadelphia Phillies (19-44) have it worse.
The game started off going great for the Braves. Nick Markakis hit a leadoff single to start the game, followed by a single by Cameron Maybin. Freddie Freeman then reached on a fielder's choice that scored Markakis, giving the Braves an early 1-0 lead.
Shelby Miller got off to a good start, striking out the first two batters he faced. He then gave up a home run to Chris Coghlan that tied the game at one. That was only the ninth home run that Miller had given up this season.
The Braves were able to take the lead back in the fourth inning. The inning started with a leadoff single by Pedro Ciriaco. Andrelton Simmons then hit a groundball to Cubs' third baseman Kris Bryant who threw to second to get the forceout. Ciriaco was originally called out on the play, but Braves' manager Fredi Gonzalez challenged the call on the field saying that Ciriaco beat the throw. The call on the field was overturned, giving the Braves two runners on base with no outs. Miller was able to get a bunt down, moving both runners into scoring position. Markakis came up to the plate and doubled, scoring both Ciriaco and Simmons and giving the Braves a 3-1 lead.
The Cubs were not going to back down though. Miguel Montero started the fifth inning with a leadoff single. Miller then walked Jorge Soler, giving the Cubs two runners on base with no outs. Chris Denorfia pinch-hit for Kyle Hendricks and reached on a throwing error by Braves' third baseman Ciriaco that allowed Monterro to score. Miller would get out the jam by inducing an inning ending double play, that at the time kept the Braves lead intact.
The Cubs wouldn't stop there though. In the sixth inning, Anthony Rizzo reached base with a walk. Kris Bryant was able to smack an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Rizzo and tying the game up at three. The very next at bat, Montero followed with an RBI double of his own, giving the Cubs a one run lead.
Montero's double that gave the Cubs the lead.
Shelby Miller left the game after pitching 6.1 innings. He gave up six hits, five runs (three earned), and recorded eight strikeouts. Shelby Miller is now 5-10 on the season despite having a 2.50 ERA.
The Cubs tacked on another run in the seventh inning on a RBI single by Rizzo. That would be all the Cubs would need to finish out the game and take game two of the series.
Game 3 Matchup
The Braves will use Williams Perez (4-4, 4.34 ERA) in the third game in hopes of breaking the five-game losing streak. Perez had a bit of a shaky start in his first two games back with the Braves giving up a combined 14 runs. Since then he has showed major improvement, going eight innings against the Tampa Bay Rays and 6.1 innings against the San Diego Padres. He gave up six earned runs in those two games combined.
The Cubs will use right handed pitcher Dan Haren (8-8, 3.63 ERA). He's allowed three runs in every game since being aquired from the Miami Marlins. The Cubs have a great offense backing him though as they go for the win in game three to keep the sweep intact for the last game of the series on Sunday.