When the Braves swept the Pirates in three games less than two weeks ago, they allowed a total of two runs.
When they lost to that same Pirates team on Friday night, they allowed three runs. The 3-2 defeat was the Braves’ seventh in their last eight at SunTrust Park.
If the Braves are going to make the postseason, or hope to advance when they do, they’ll have to solve their home woes, where they’re 35-31 after dropping three straight. They're 39-29 on the road, tied for the best mark in the National League.
“I have no idea why that is,” manager Brian Snitker said of the home-road splits. “Some years you’re really good at home and can’t win on the road. I don’t have any idea.”
It was the team’s ninth loss in 42 games where it hit multiple homers. There were chances for offense, but with Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis slumping, the bats have struggled to work around the minute impact of their usual suppliers.
“Nick and I talk every day that we’re trying to find it right now,” Freeman said. “It’s not what we wanted, especially to go for this long. We’re going on two weeks now. It’s not ideal when both of us are hitting three and four and going through a tough spot right now, but hopefully we’ll get out of it tomorrow.”
The Braves had two hits through five innings, with Ender Inciarte responsible for both. Inciarte also made one of his patented leaping-at-the-wall grabs to end the first inning. Had he missed the catch, David Freese would’ve at least doubled and Josh Bell, who walked, likely could’ve scored.
Pittsburgh got its run in the next inning after Corey Dickerson doubled and Elias Diaz brought him in. It was the Pirates’ fifth run in their last 28 innings.
The Pirates got their second run in the sixth when Freeman attempted to throw out a runner at second. The errant lob put two on with none out. Freese’s single scored their second run, chasing Anibal Sanchez from the mound.
“If (the throw) is down a little bit, it’s a good aggressive play,” Snitker said. “Freddie’s arm is a weapon. He’s not afraid of it and he’s ready to make plays. That’s a big play right there. He’ll make that thing nine out of 10 times.”
Ronald Acuna’s solo homer cut Pittsburgh’s lead in half to start the Braves’ portion of the sixth. The ball seemed to carry and elevate, transforming from first-thought deep pop out to a homer into the green seats in right field.
It was Acuna’s 11th homer of the month. The 20-year-old has perhaps been the team’s best player since the All-Star break as he builds separation from fellow phenom Juan Soto in pursuit of the rookie of the year award.
Johan Camargo’s game-tying homer chased Pittsburgh starter Jameson Taillon, who was haunted by the pair of long balls into the Chop House, in the seventh. Camargo has reached safely in seven of eight, hitting .406 (13-for-32) in that time.
“I really feel like Atlanta and this group has really just become my family,” Camargo said via team interpreter Franco Garcia. “I think a lot of my confidence stems from the group here, their support and everything. So with their help, we’ll continue to move forward and improve.”
The Pirates caught a break in the eighth when Ozzie Albies botched what could’ve been a double play. Following a leadoff walk, a sharply hit ball from Starling Marte bounced off Albies, putting two runners on with none out against Brad Brach.
After Bell’s flyout advanced Adam Frazier to third, Gregory Polanco swatted the ball just over Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson to plate the go-ahead run. Jesse Biddle came in to strike out Dickerson with two on.
Sanchez pitched well amid some bad luck; softer hits find spots, as Brach later experienced. Sam Freeman got Sanchez out of the sixth-inning bind, allowing him to keep his ERA under 3.00 at 2.98. The veteran, who struck out six and walked one, has outperformed any reasonable expectation.
It’s hard to imagine where the first-place Braves would be without the mid-March Sanchez addition. The Phillies beat the Cubs via Asdrubal Cabrera’s walkoff, cutting the Braves’ East lead to two games.
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