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Braves Drop Opener to Nats 3-1

By John Buhler

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The Atlanta Braves drop their series opener versus the Washington Nationals 3-1 Tuesday night.  Stephen Strasburg made his return form the Disabled List for the Nats and pitched five shutout innings.  He was decent but not great for Washington tonight.  Though he was able to overpower the Braves’ hitters with his fastball (6 K’s), Strasburg was highly inefficient in recording his 15 outs (94 pitches, 64 for strikes).

-= Related: Braves Go To Washington To Battle For First Place =-

Alex Wood earned another quality start for the Braves but it didn’t feel like it.  Wood continues to get hit constantly, surrendering 10 hits tonight in 7 innings pitched.  Though his ERA is at a comfortable 3.40, his opponents’ batting average against him is an unnerving .288.

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    • Wood’s not really walking guys or striking them out for that matter (1 BB, 2 K tonight).  He’s getting too much of the plate with his low-90’s MPH fastball.  But he was still able to go 7 innings due in large part to two timely Yunel Escobar GIDP’s.  I’m sure Yunel just loved that!

    Atlanta only mustered one run on nine hits tonight.  I don’t know if it was because Freddie Freeman didn’t make the trip to DC or if it was because of the two-hour rain delay before the game started, but the Braves seemed more sluggish than normal on offense tonight.

    Atlanta left ten men on base tonight, including Cameron Maybin’s game-ending pop-up to C Wilson Ramos with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth.  Maybin also committed an error by over-running a Michael Taylor single to center in the bottom of the third.  At least his 6th home run of the year was a beauty to the deepest part of the ball park off Matt Thornton in the top of the eighth.

    I should point out that Nick Markakis had a solid night at the plate for the Braves this evening.  Markakis went 3 for 4 to raise his season batting average back up to .300.  I have to admit, it was weird seeing him hitting third for the Braves with Freddie on the DL.  But with the way he puts the bat on the ball consistently, I think Nick will have many chances to drive in runs if Jace Peterson and Cameron Maybin can get on in front of him.

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    Honestly, I didn’t feel that Atlanta’s heart was in this game tonight for some reason.  The team just came out flat.  Washington outside of Anthony Rendon (4 for 4) and Wilson Ramos (3 for 4) were certainly beatable tonight.  Atlanta usually has great success against Stephen Strasburg, but tonight was not the case.

    The Braves look to get back on track tomorrow night when Shelby Miller takes on the always-tough Ryan Zimmermann.  Atlanta falls to 1-6 against the Nationals so far this year.  It’s time to start beating our division rivals.

    Next: Can The Braves Steal 100 Bases This Year?

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