The Atlanta Braves wasted no time getting their second homestand of the season started on a good note. The Sacramento A’s (it’s still weird writing that) came into town with a 0-3 record and were immediately behind 3-0 after an inning of work.
Atlanta won the game 4-0, led by strong pitching and two RBI from the shortstop position.
Atlanta got RBIs from Matt Olson (1) and Mauricio Dubon (2), while drawing three walks from the A’s starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (4 innings, 5 hits, 3 earned runs), in his first half-inning on the mound.
The evening’s starter for the Braves, Bryce Elder, was making his first start of the season and looked like he belonged in the rotation, at least for now.
Through the first six innings, Elder only allowed one extra-base hit, no runs, and struck out five A’s. It was a strong way to start the season, the first Elder has ever begun on the Braves’ opening day roster.
His manager was complimentary after the game. “Another outstanding start,” said Walt Weiss. “It’s really nice to go through the rotation and get these kinds of starts.”
Weiss said Jose Suarez would be starting on Tuesday night.
“Everything starts with starting pitching,” said Weiss.
Tonight’s starting pitcher, Elder, said he was pleased with his performance, especially with his change-up and cutter.
“It felt good. I was able to mix, and I was pleased with it,” Elder.
The Braves had been stuck at three runs through six innings and looked to be ready to tack on a couple more when Ronald Acuna (2-2 with two walks) doubled with two outs. Drake Baldwin came to the plate next, but failed to drive in a run. A triple from Mike Yastrzemski and a base hit from Mauricio Dubon in the eighth inning did the job and made the score 4-0.
Aaron Bummer and Robert Suarez came on in relief of Elder in the seventh and eighth innings and were equally as effective. Neither pitcher allowed an earned run. Braves’ closer Raisel Iglesias came on in the ninth to pick up the save.
Following this series, the Braves will head west for a seven-game road trip against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels.
Atlanta came into Monday night with a 2-1 record following a series win over the Kansas City Royals on opening weekend. The highlight of that series can be the opening day start by Chris Sale, home runs by Drake Baldwin, Michael Harris, Ozzie Albies, and Dom Smith. The latter home run was a walk-off on night two of the season.
The post Braves needed just one inning to defeat A’s 4-0 in series opener on Monday night appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.