Atlanta continues to put up runs in the first inning, an early grand slam by first baseman Matt Olson setting the tone for the Braves’ 10-2 win vs. the Rockies Saturday at Truist Park.
Five observations:
1. The highest-scoring first-inning MLB team keeps doing its thing early. After a walk from right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and singles by second baseman Ozzie Albies and third baseman Austin Riley, the Braves (45-26) jumped out to a 4-0 lead vs. the Rockies thanks to Olson’s grand slam.
Atlanta entered Saturday’s game edging the Dodgers for the most first-inning runs in the majors (62 to 59), but Olson’s bomb beefs it up to 66.
The Braves’ offense tallied 13 hits, including four home runs (one for Olson, one for Albies, one for left fielder Eddie Rosario and one for shortstop Orlando Arcia, all off Rockies starter Connor Seabold).
The Rockies (29-44) have lost four straight games, and 14 of their last 19.
“It’s always good to be the team that scores first,” Olson said. “Seems like we’ve been doing it at a pretty good clip this year and it kinda sets the tone for the game. When you’re able to get a lead, especially with a guy like (Bryce) Elder on the mound who’s filling up the zone, missing barrels, that just opens up his repertoire even more. It was a good start.”
On Thursday, Olson had moved from second to fifth in the order, with Albies moving up to second. Obviously it’s a small sample size, but manager Brian Snitker evaluated the move so far: “I like how it looks right now, that’s for sure. And for Matt, too, I think just changing the scenery was the big thing, trying something. And Matt’s a run producer, as he’s shown. Down there, with them guys getting on, he can do a lot of damage in the five-hole where he’s at.”
2. Elder didn’t allow a baserunner until the fourth inning. He pitched six innings for the Braves, giving up one earned run (a solo shot to first baseman Mike Moustakas in the fifth inning) on four hits, with zero walks and four strikeouts.
In his last two starts, Elder had given up four runs to the Mets June 6 (in a 6-4 win) and five runs to the Nationals June 11 (in a 6-2 loss).
“I liked how he bounced back and had his sinker going again, the slider was a good pitch for him, the change-up. … He looked more kind of free and easy and himself,” Snitker said.
3. With a single, double and home run, Arcia finished a triple shy of the cycle, with a stolen base.
“He’s got a lot, a lot of energy and is a really, really good player, I think he’s just showing what he’s capable of doing, and it’s really, really good,” Snitker said. “He’s playing about as good as you can right now, and he has been all year, all spring.”
4. After a base hit in the third inning, catcher Sean Murphy left the game with right hamstring tightness and was replaced by Travis d’Arnaud. At his postgame press conference, Snitker said Murphy was getting an MRI and he’d find out more about the nature and severity of the injury later Saturday night and Sunday morning.
5. With this win, Atlanta moves to a season-best 19 games over .500 at 45-26, maintaining the best record in baseball in June (12-3). The Braves own the best record in the National League.
Stat to know
50 -- Olson leads the National League with 50 RBIs.
Quotable
“You know, even though we couldn’t get the triple, we’ll just have to move forward.” -- Arcia, through interpreter Franco García, joking about being a triple away from the cycle)
Up next
Braves righty Charlie Morton (5-6, 3.60 ERA) is slated to face Rockies righty Chase Anderson (0-0, 2.72) Sunday in the final game of the four-game series.
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