In an evening shrouded in controversy and missed opportunities, the Braves fell to the Yankees 5-4 at Truist Park. They were swept in the two-game series against New York.
Here are five takeaways from Tuesday:
1. The story of Tuesday night was a key call in the fifth inning. Third baseman Austin Riley’s single scored a run, cutting the Yankees’ lead to one, and first baseman Freddie Freeman rounded third and darted home to potentially tie the game. Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez received the relay throw and tagged Freeman out to end the inning.
The Braves challenged the call. Freeman appeared to be safe, but the decision wasn’t overturned. The Braves exited the inning trailing 4-3. And memories of the infamous Alec Bohm play earlier this year, when the Phillies third baseman was out at home but ruled safe, flooded the minds of spectators.
“When they came over to me, I saw the replay (on the video board) and (Freeman) looked safe,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I hadn’t seen the replay (after the game) yet. They don’t tell me anything.”
Snitker asked the umpires about Sanchez blocking the plate, but he said he figured they weren’t going to get that rare call. Snitker stressed he saw a still image that indicated Freeman was safe, but he hadn’t yet seen replays beyond what was shown in the stadium.
“I’ve asked a number of times over the last few years about blocking the plate and they never get called,” Snitker said. “That one the other day (in a Cubs-Royals game) was the first one I’ve seen in three years. Honestly, I think they figure if he’s sliding through, (the catcher) isn’t blocking the plate. I thought he was safe. I thought he beat the throw.”
2. A wild ninth inning ended with the Braves leaving the bases loaded. Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman retired two of the first three Braves he faced but soon lost control of the strike zone.
Chapman, drenched in sweat throughout his appearance, walked Ehire Adrianza. Second baseman Ozzie Albies assembled a seven-pitch at-bat that concluded with a grounder to third. The speedy Albies beat the throw, loading the bases.
Slugger Jorge Soler drew a walk, pulling the Braves within one and ending Chapman’s night. Wandy Peralta won a nine-pitch battle with first baseman Freddie Freeman when the reigning MVP flew out to left to end the game.
“I liked our chances,” Snitker said. “I liked Ozzie in that situation. I liked Soler in that situation and I really liked Freddie in that situation. I thought he was going to get one of his base hits to left field. He had a hell of an at-bat. All of them. ... We were a hit away.”
3. Outfielder Joc Pederson was ejected by home-plate umpire Chris Conroy following his at-bat in the fourth inning. Pederson was called out as he swung while getting hit by a pitch. Pederson yelled at the umpires, prompting his ejection.
“If you swing at the ball and get hit, then it’s a strike,” Snitker said. “I thought he went around and he got hit. But I thought they were a little quick to throw him out of the game in that situation.”
4. Braves starter Charlie Morton allowed four runs on six hits over five innings, adding nine strikeouts. He gave up multiple homers in one outing for the first time this season, surrendering blasts to outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and infielder DJ LeMahieu.
It was the first time Morton allowed more than three runs in a start since July 4, ending an eight-start run. Morton had a 2.63 ERA while holding opponents to a .189 average over that stretch.
5. The Braves lost consecutive games for the first time since July 17. The 35-game run without consecutive losses was the franchise’s longest since 1993 (39 such games).
Stat to know
4-1/2 (Despite the Braves’ loss, the Phillies also lost 3-1 to Tampa Bay, so the Braves maintain a 4-1/2 game lead atop the division.)
Quotable
“You can clearly see he’s safe and they called him out.” – Albies on Freeman’s play
Honoring a legend
Hall of Fame knuckleballer Phil Niekro, who died in December, was honored throughout the night. Niekro pitched for the Braves from 1964-1983 (and 1987), establishing himself as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history. His No. 35 is retired and displayed in the stadium.
Up next
The Braves have consecutive off days, a rarity explained here by The AJC’s Tim Tucker, before opening a three-game series against the MLB-best Giants at Truist Park on Friday.
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