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National League Falls To American League, Atlanta Braves Players Play Part In Outcome

By Deke Lloyd

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 07: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers shakes hands with manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves before Game Three of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 7, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 07: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers shakes hands with manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves before Game Three of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 7, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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The American League extended their winning streak to 7 last night with a 4-3 over the National League. Mike Soroka looked strong while Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna struggled to make an impact on the game.

Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr. were the two Braves starters on the National League roster. Mike Soroka would appear later in the game. Freeman was the more productive Braves starter on the roster, getting two at-bats, striking out once and walking once. Ronald Acuna Jr. could not recreate his Home Run Derby magic during the All-Star game. Acuna got two at-bats too, striking out both times.

Yesterday, before the game started, I was of the thinking that Mike Soroka would make an early appearance in the All-Star game. Arguably, Soroka has been the second-best pitcher in the National League, behind the National League’s starter Hyun-Jin Ryu. Ryu has been the best pitcher in all of baseball, and he pitched like it in the first inning. Next, came Clayton Kershaw, who surrendered the first runs of the game. Jacob deGrom, Luis Castillo, and Walker Buehler all got on the mound before Soroka. Finally, Soroka came on for the sixth inning, and pitched a shutout inning, throwing 10 pitches and 4 strikes.

The highlight of the All-Star game, for Braves fans, would be Soroka pitching on such a big stage, Freeman and Acuna being starters, and possibly Freeman getting struck out by Justin Verlander while wearing a mic. It was a pretty great moment.

The three Braves players that took place in the game, four if you count Brian Snitker, who was on the bench for the National League, did what they could to help the National League overcome the dominance of the American League. In the end, the American League won. Even with the loss, the experience of being in the All-Star game for Soroka and Acuna and Freeman and Snitker will be something that will stay with them forever. The Braves will start their post All-Star game season with a trip to San Diego to face off with the Padres.

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