Braves Drop Finale Despite Wood’s Effort
By Mark Kolar
Apr 6, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Alex Wood (40) throws during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Wood put in another fine performance in his second start of the season, but the Brave’s offense couldn’t back him, as they only went one for nine with runners in scoring position.
It appeared the Nationals were ready to jump all over Wood in the first inning, as the first three batters for Washington reached base and they took a 1-0 lead. Wood quickly settled down though, and retired the next thirteen Nationals hitters.
The Braves’ offense had its opportunities. Atlanta would load the bases with one out in the fourth inning, before Nationals starter Taylor Jordan would get Gerald Laird to strike out, and Andrelton Simmons to ground out to third to end the threat. The Braves only run came in the sixth, when Dan Uggla just missed a three run homer to left center, and instead had to settle for a sacrifice fly that scored Freddie Freeman.
The Nationals retook the lead in the seventh, when Ian Desmond led off the inning with a home run.
Rafael Soriano would close the game out for the Nationals, but not before the Braves put together a two-out rally. Simmons and pinch hitter Ryan Doumit singled, before Soriano struck out Jason Heyward on a full count to end the game.
The Braves are off Monday, before beginning the home portion of their 2014 season on Tuesday night against the New York Mets. Aaron Harang, coming off his dominant performance against the Milwaukee Brewers will get the nod for the Braves. He will go up against Bartolo Colon.