It Had Everything
Last night’s game ran the gambit on the MLB Experience. It had stellar pitching, a 400+ foot home run, defense, timely hitting, a comeback, a response, shutdown bullpen pitching, the best closer of this generation; and a Braves win, most importantly.
Kyle Wright & MacKenzie Gore went head to head. An Ozzie Albies home run on a first-pitch fastball & a professional piece of hitting from Marcell Ozuna put the Bravos ahead by two.
The Padres would respond with two runs of their own to knot it up.
Then the timely hitting - which we’ve missed so far this season - showed up. Atlanta got two runners on & last year’s NL RBI champion roped a double down the left field line to plate both.
One bases loaded situation later, a wild pitch pushed across the final run for the Braves, as well as the ballgame.
Kenley Jansen was dominant in the 9th in a familiar ballpark. He’s been pitching in San Diego his entire career as a Dodger, with the Padres being a divisional foe. Last night was probably the most comfortable Kenley’s been in his young Braves career.
The Braves 5-2 victory was a tremendous sign after getting smoked in Game One. When they were at their best last season, they were stopping other teams’ momentum & starting their own. Last night looked like a Championship Braves team.
Ian Looks to Lower
Ian flew out to the Left Coast carrying a 16.88 ERA in his luggage. Five earned runs in 2.2 innings pitched this season will do that to you.
He faced 16 Cincinnati batters; walking five while only striking out one in the Braves 3-6 loss this past Sunday.
In order to keep the Atlanta momentum rolling, Ian has to locate his fastball better & get that changeup working again. His changeup is the key to his success. He’s a potential ace when his changeup is dropping 23 inches.
He didn’t throw a single sinker in his first outing, likely saving it for the second time through the order. Problem is he didn’t work into a pitch sequence conducive to his sinker during any at-bat the second time through the order.