For the second time already in 2023, the Braves started an MLB debutant on the mound. Unlike the first rookie, Dylan Dodd pounded the strikezone. Not only was Dodd filling up the zone, he was attacking. Seven-time All-Star & five-time Silver Slugger Nolan Arenado was Dylan’s first career strikeout victim, quite the feather for his cap.
In five innings of work, he sat down three Cardinals via the strikeout (Arenado, O’Neill, and Motter), while issuing no bases on balls. Of his 73 pitches, 52 were strikes (71%).
Dodd didn’t return to the mound after the 5th inning, leaving a 4-1 lead to Jesse Chavez.
The 4-1 lead would hold, giving Dylan Dodd his first career win. AJ Minter earned his first save of the season.
Bats
Young Thicc unloaded for the second consecutive night in St. Louis for a 2-run blast in the 1st inning off of Cards starter Steven Matz. And just like the night prior, Riley wasn’t the only Brave to touch ‘em all. Orlando Arcia sent his first souvenir of the season over the wall in Left; but due to how the stadium is designed, the ball returned to the field of play. So Arcia sent the ball over the wall in left, but the lucky fan that had first dibs at keeping the souvenir was actually the Cardinals left fielder Dylan Carlson.
Congratulations Dylan!
Sean Murphy also got the first hit & RBI of his Atlanta tenure tonight in the top of the 3rd when he swatted a single through the left side of the infield to score Travis d’Arnaud.
Speaking of d’Arnaud, he led all batters with three hits tonight, bringing his season batting average to .455.
Looking Ahead
The Braves go for the sweep on Wednesday at 1:15 Eastern.
Bryce Elder gets the start for Atlanta, he’ll face St. Louis’ Miles Mikolas. Mikolas will bring his 13.50 ERA with him to the bump in hopes to fare better against the Braves than he did in his first start that only lasted 3.1 innings.