This time, the Braves took advantage of the opposing bullpen’s inability to throw strikes.
After drawing lackluster results against Jon Lester most of the evening, the Braves broke through with four runs in the eighth, enough to upend the Cubs 6-4 Wednesday at SunTrust Park. It secured their first series win of the season and gives them the opportunity to sweep.
The Braves entered the inning down 4-2 – their bullpen had already surrendered the lead. But the Cubs’ relief core issued five walks in the frame. In fact, the first three Braves to reach were via bases on balls. Then Johan Camargo cleared the bags with a double that put the Braves up for good.
“Same thing, just a different year,” said Freddie Freeman, who began the inning with a walk. “After the game, (manager Brian Snitker) even goes, ‘I’ve seen that before.’ So it doesn’t surprise me anymore with this team. We just keep coming back no matter what the score.”
Julio Teheran gave the Braves five innings, allowing one run, but exited after 91 pitches. Enter Jonny Venters, who allowed a walk and homer that erased the Braves’ narrow 2-1 lead. Fortunately, the hosts weren’t the only team with bullpen concerns.
The Cubs opened the eighth with Steve Cishek, who promptly walked Freeman, Ronald Acuna and Nick Markakis. Cishek was replaced by Randy Rosario, who served up a bases-clearing double to Camargo.
“He got some big hits a lot last year and he’ll be a big part of what we’re doing this year too,” Snitker said of the versatile Camargo, who started in left field Wednesday.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon quickly pulled the plug on Rosario. He inserted former Brave Brad Brach, whom Tyler Flowers tagged with a first-pitch single. Dansby Swanson tacked on an insurance run with a sacrifice fly.
The Braves didn’t score again in the inning, but Maddon had to dip into his bullpen again after Brach walked another pair. It was a swift reminder that bullpen anxieties aren’t exclusive; the Cubs’ problems, at least for the time being, seem to outweigh the Braves’.
It was also a refresher course on the Braves’ late-inning heroics. Since Snitker took over, the team has made a living off last-moment victories. Their 20 last at-bat wins last season were tied for a National League high while they led the league in that department the two years prior.
“We did that a lot last season,” said Ozzie Albies, who had three hits – including an opposite-field homer – from the lead-off spot. “We want to already be winning in the late innings, but we’re not going to give up. We’re going to keep battling.”
“These guys just never quit,” Snitker said. “It’s what they’re all about. They’re never out of a game. They showed patience, had some really good at-bats and put together a big inning to win the game.”
Murphy’s Law applied in Philadelphia, where the Braves looked outmatched much of the time. But just like that, they could even their record on Thursday. Another lesson that overreacting in April, even at one poor series, is a fool’s errand.
Even if some’s faith wavered in those days, the team stood its ground. It wasn’t concerned, and the past two home games have been the best answer for which they could’ve hoped.
“We know the quality of team we have here,” Camargo said through an interpreter. “We’re very fortunate to have the youth, energy, experience and focus. We’re going to be in those close games like that all season long, so we just need to make the most of our opportunities and come away with a win.”
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