Jace Peterson Wins It For Braves In Walkoff 3-2

It took eleven innings but Jace Peterson came through with a walkoff RBI single to give the Atlanta Braves a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday evening.  It was a hard-fought battle for both of the game’s starters.

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Shelby Miller pitched six innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out five in his first start since his near no-hitter last Sunday against the Miami Marlins.  Though he came away with a no decision in today’s contest, you have to feel pleased with how Miller pitched despite not having command with his offspeed pitches.

Mike Fiers pitched great for Milwaukee in the first four frames, striking out five Braves hitters.  But it was a two-run Braves fifth that prevented Fiers from achieving a quality start.

In relief, the Braves bullpen pitched four scoreless innings.  Brandon Cunniff still has yet to give up a hit to a right-handed batter this season.  Cunniff is approaching a Major League record for consecutive right-handed batters retired to start a career, he is just three more away from tying Bob McClure of the mid-70’s Kansas City Royals.

Atlanta caught a few breaks defensively with two inning-ending double plays in the top of the sixth and the top of the tenth.  I thought Milwaukee was certainly going to score a run in those frames.

The Braves did have a rough day running the bases.  Jace Peterson and Freddie Freeman got thrown out at second by Brewers C Martin Moldonado at very inopportune times, the first and tenth innings.  Atlanta has never been aggressive on the base path in my lifetime, so why start now?

But Jace Peterson’s clutch opposite field single that scored Alberto Callaspo from third in the bottom of the eleventh that made all the difference.  I might be wrong but I think this is the first walkoff victory for the Atlanta Braves since 2013.  Last year’s offense was too inept to muster walkoff victories.  Even though Shelby Miller didn’t get the victory, I’m thrilled that the Braves won it over the Brewers in walkoff fashion.