Atlanta Braves, Max Fried Blow Early Lead, Fall To Blue Jays
By Deke Lloyd
The Atlanta Braves suffered their second loss in as many days in Grapefruit League, this time to the Toronto Blue Jays. After jumping out to a lead early, the Braves pitching buckled early.
The Atlanta Braves wasted little time getting the scoring started this afternoon. Shun Yamaguchi was on the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays to start the game, but he didn’t last long. Dansby Swanson got on base with a single. Johan Camargo was hit by a pitch to reach base. Next, Charlie Culberson was walked to load the bases.
Drew Waters, the highly touted Braves prospect was up next. Water proceeded to single, driving two runs home to give the Braves the early 2-0 lead. Next, another highly touted prospect, Christian Pache came up. Pache would also single to drive one run home, making the score 3-0 in the first inning. After the three runs, Yamaguchi’s day came to a very sudden and early end.
Max Fried was on the mound for the Braves this afternoon after seeing two pitchers the day before who are competing for two of the final playoff spots. Unlike Bryse Wilson and Felix Hernandez, Max Fried’s rotation spot is secure. Luckily, for Fried, even a lackluster start to the Spring won’t keep him out of the rotation.
Fried wouldn’t make it out of the first inning after being handed a 3-0 lead by his offense. Fried, like Yamaguchi, would give up two runs after only recording one out. Fried’s day finished with 0.1 innings pitched, 1 strikeout, and two walks. Jose Manuel Fernandez would come on in relief. Fernandez gave up a run, that was charged to Fried, giving Fried 3 earned runs in his first start of the Grapefruit League.
Ian Anderson was brought on to pitch following Max Fried’s early exit. He didn’t have much more luck than Fried, giving up one run while striking out one and walking two. Like Fried, Anderson didn’t finish his end but did go further than Fried, recording one more out than Fried did.
Dansby Swanson had a good day going 2 for 3. Ender Inciarte went 1 for 3 on the day. Johan Camargo, who is competing with Austin Riley for starting job at third base, went 0 for 2 with one walk and one run scored.
The Braves are back in action tomorrow with the Minnesota Twins. Mike Foltynewicz will get his turn to pitch against the Twins tomorrow. Tomorrow’s game starts at 1:05.