The Atlanta Braves evened up their series with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night with a 9-2 victory. In a matchup of southpaw aces, it was a seventh inning explosion by the Braves offense that made the difference. The win for Atlanta sets up a rubber match on Thursday afternoon.
Max Fried and Justin Steele took the mound and the game cruised along early. The only blemish on the scoreboard until the sixth inning was a two-run home run from Adam Duvall. The Chicago Cubs pushed across a run in the bottom of the sixth, only to be blown out of the water in the top of the seventh by a six-run frame that gave Atlanta the victory.
Aces Dealing in the Windy City
https://gty.im/2154222610
For six innings, the only dark spot for Justin Steele was a fastball that Adam Duvall put in the left-center field bleachers. At 86 pitches it was unclear whether or not Steele would come out for the seventh but manager Craig Counsell opted to send Steele back out. Seven pitches later, Counsell was out of the dugout and going to Jose Cuas out of the bullpen with a run in and runners at the corners.
On the Atlanta side, Max Fried flew through the first innings unscathed. The sixth inning dented Fried’s scoreless outing but with the explosion from his offense in the top of the seventh, he was allowed to sail along. An unearned run in the eighth gave the Chicago Cubs their second run of the game, but didn’t stop Fried from sending the Cubs hitters back to the dugout. Fried set Chicago batters down 1-2-3 in the ninth and finished off his second complete game of the season.
Atlanta Opens Up Lead in Seventh Inning
https://gty.im/2154222178
The decision to bring Steele back out opened the floodgates for Atlanta to push six runs across in the seventh inning. With the 3-1 score when Steele left the ball game, the Cubs bullpen had the opportunity to keep it tight, but the Braves lineup could only be fended off for so long.
Jose Cuas walked Ronald Acuna Jr. as soon as he entered the game to load the bases. Ozzie Albies just missed on a sinker and hit a sacrifice fly to left that plated the second run of the inning. Cuas was not as lucky for the rest of the frame.
The main salvos in the frame came from the heart of the Braves order, with Marcell Ozuna belting a three-run home run to extend the lead to 7-1. Matt Olson followed up with a no-doubt solo home run to go back-to-back and finish off the seventh inning and the Cubs on Wednesday.
Looking Ahead
https://gty.im/1565689315
After the barrage in the seventh inning, each team added a run in the eighth to make it 9-2. Max Fried’s complete game gave the Braves their first win of the series and set up a rubber match on Thursday afternoon.
After the matchup of southpaw stars on Wednesday, it’s looking like a potential bullpen game for both teams on Thursday. Ben Brown has been a hybrid starter/reliever thus far in his rookie season. He will take the mound Thursday afternoon as the Cubs try to even up the season series against Atlanta.
Opposite Brown for the Braves is another youngster, AJ Smith-Shawver. Smith-Shawver has made just one appearance so far in 2024 and it was a one inning outing. The 21-year-old right-hander will be trying to give the Braves their second series win over the Cubs in two weeks.
For More Great Sports News and Content
Also Read: Chicago Cubs Regain Right-Hander in Interleague Trade, Atlanta Braves Starting Pitcher Has Spectacular Start On May 22, Chicago Cubs Starting Pitcher Continues Astounding 2024 Season
New on MLB: MLB Makes Shocking Decision Regarding Marquee Package For 2024 Season, Chicago Cubs With Thrilling Walk-Off In Gold Glover’s Return On May 21
