Skip to main content
ATL All Day
Fansided

Atlanta Braves Overcome by Cubs in a Battle of the Bullpens

ByAdam Greene|

The Atlanta Braves entered Saturday’s game at Wrigley Field with hopes of ending a road trip in which they have gone 0-5. That unfortunately didn’t happen.

In the second inning,Nick Swisherhit a solid two-run blast out to left field, giving the Atlanta Braves andWilliams Perezan early lead. However the Chicago Cubs would strike back immediately when they scored 2 runs on three straight singles. Perez didn’t have that great of a game, as he allowed a home run toAnthony Rizzofor the Cubs to take the lead in the 3rd.

-= Atlanta Braves: Projected 2016 Bullpen =-

What’s baffling is that this afternoon’s game is the first time in the series that we have seenNick Swisher. His average in Wrigley is pretty outstanding, as he now has 4 home runs in 13 games there. His average is also sitting around .400 lifetime at Wrigley. So why would Fredi have been so willing to sit a guy who tears up the Cubs at The Friendly Confines? If we knew, and probably even if Fredi knew, he still couldn’t tell you.

MLB Rumors: Braves striking out, Ohtani spurned Giants, Soto-Yankees extension
MLB Rumors: Braves striking out, Ohtani spurned Giants, Soto-Yankees extension

FanSided

  • The cause and effect of the Braves alluring additions of Kelenic and FletcherHouse That Hank Built
  • The 6 best Atlanta Braves who were never recognized as All-StarsHouse That Hank Built
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto update: Yankees on, Dodgers question, Braves wild cardCall to the Pen
  • World Series Odds: Which Teams Have Value after Shohei Ohtani Signing?Betsided
  • Braves finalize coaching moves after Wash-led exodusFanSided

    • Williams Perezdidn’t seem very dominant today in the match-up, while still having 4 strikeouts through 5 innings. However he was able to outlast his opponent inDan Harenon the mound, as the Atlanta Braves forced managerJoe Maddonto pull him in the 5th with two straight singles with only one out. From the his errant reaction, you could tell that he was non-too-pleased being pulled so early from the game.

    His frustrations mounted even more whenFreddie Freemanstepped up to the plate and drove in a run on a laser shot double to the ivy in the outfield. Immediately afterwards, AJ Pierzynski drove in two runs on a hard hit shot to second base that bounced off the glove ofChris Coghlanto score two runs, effectively giving the Atlanta Braves a 5-3 lead. The Braves then got to witness Nick Swisher pour it on even more against the Cubs as he clobbered a second home run out to left field to bump up the lead to 7-3. We also got to see the fabled Double Tomahawk Chop from Nick Swisher as he rounded the bases (somewhere, Shooter McGavin is rethinking how cool the double pistol move is).

    Getting to watch Nick Swisher was something special today, as the switch hitter was able to blast two home runs batting left-handed and then right-handed. I’m sure that not too many people can boast that kind of stat in a game. Hopefully we’ll be seeing him again in the lineup tomorrow. And even if he has a bad game, his enthusiasm and willingness to play are much appreciated as the Atlanta Braves aren’t technically out of the playoff race, but they’ll need to really go on a miracle run to make it happen.

    -= Atlanta Braves: 2016 Projected Starting Lineup =-

    The Atlanta Braves and Williams Perez got a scare in the 5th, as the Chicago Cubs were able to rally off several hits and came within a run of tying up the game, making the score 7-6. It was classic pitching mismanagement for the Braves as the starter was left in too long. I get it, you don’t want to bring in your bullpen early because of how unsteady they have been all year, but taking him out could have potentially saved two runs.

    More from Atlanta Braves

    There was some excitement in the 6th, asAddison Russellfor the Cubs hit a home run that became questionable when a fan reached over the basket in the outfield and obstructed the ball flight. At first, the call seemed like it would be overturned due to fan interference (Insert Steve Bartman joke). However the call stood, causing a few things to happen: Complete mockery of the instant replay system, the fan still getting ejected from the game and then readmitted among a standing ovation, and the game being tied 7-7.

    The game eventually got away from the Braves in the 8th inning, when the former Cubs playerEdwin Jacksonallowed back to back home runs to make the score 7-9. After that, not much changed as the Braves weren’t able to maintain a lead against a solid Cubs offense. Hopefully they can salvage a win tomorrow, ending the misery that has been this road trip.

    Next: Atlanta Braves: A Rebuilding Farm System

    More fromATL All Day

    Add us as a preferred source onGoogle
    Follow

    Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations