Atlanta Braves Split With Toronto, White Sox Up Next
By Deke Lloyd
The Atlanta Braves split a quick two-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays after winning last night’s game 9-4. When the Braves offense looked like it was sputtering, the back end of the lineup stepped up in a big way for this team.
After consecutive days of offensive woes, the Atlanta Braves offense started quickly, jumping to a 5-0 lead after two innings. Matt Joyce, who continues to produce for this Braves team in limited action, got the night started with a solo home run. Rafael Ortega, Ronald Acuna, and Freddie Freeman all hit RBI double’s to pad the Braves lead.
As Braves fans, we should all take a moment to commend the amazing job this Braves lineup has done in the wake of the injuries that hit this team. Matt Joyce, Charlie Culberson, and Tyler Flowers have been with the team all season. Adeiny Hechavarria, Rafael Ortega, Billy Hamilton, and Francisco Cervelli have all been additions from throughout the season or promotions. With Nick Markakis, Dansby Swanson, and Brian McCann all going down with injuries late in the season, this Braves team has gotten contributions from all over the place. We expect Acuna and Freeman to be the big-time producers. When a team gets offense from all over the lineup, that’s when a team is special.
Mike Foltynewicz was on the mound with a 5-0 lead handed to him early on. The first three innings were scoreless for Folty, but that doesn’t mean they were easy innings. Folty labored through his 4.2 innings, giving up 8 hits and 2 earned runs while tossing 98 pitches. Not the most efficient start for Folty, but he battled through it and exited the game with the lead. Luke Jackson would go on to pitch 1.1 innings before being replaced. Jackson would be the pitcher credited with the win, pushing his record to 8-2.
With his 8th win, Jackson now has two fewer wins than Mike Soroka. Yes, that Luke Jackson. I know it’s not all about decisions, Soroka has been screwed out of enough this season by lackluster run support, but it does make for an interesting stat. As bad as Jackson was at times this season, his August has been pretty great. In August, Jackson has pitched 12 innings posting a 0.75 ERA. Jackson has proved he may not be a capable closer but is a more than valuable bullpen arm for the Braves moving forward.
Now that the two-game series with Toronto is finished, the Braves will go back home for a three-game series with the White Sox. The Braves get an off day for traveling on Thursday. At the moment, the White Sox are sitting at 60-72, out of their division race and the AL Wild Card race. That doesn’t mean the Braves can relax when the White Sox still have the opportunity to play spoiler down the stretch. First pitch will be Friday at 7:20.