7/7/17
Bizzare Night leads to Freeman’s Historic Accomplishment and Braves Victory
On a night when the Braves vs Nationals game was set to be played at 7:05pm, the Nationals front office decided to delay the game due to “inclement weather” that would never arrive.
After a 3 hour and 5 minute “rain delay” that didn’t include any rain whatsoever, it was announced that first pitch would be at 10:10pm. Upon hearing the good news, the Braves sent their starter, Mike Foltynewicz to the mound to face Nationals, Gio Gonzalez.
Both teams went quietly in the first inning until a double in the 2nd, followed by a sacrifice fly, put the Nationals up 1-0. In previous years, the Braves wouldn’t counter the runs by the Nationals and would fall behind early in games but tonight was different.
In the top of the 3rd and their second time up to bat, Inciarte and Phillips were both able to single, bringing up recently activated Freddie Freeman to the plate for an RBI chance. Not even 5 pitches in, Freddie was able to get ahold of a ball and drove it to right center field to tie the game at 1-1 and bring his career total hits to 999.
The scoring didn’t stop there for the Braves, in the top of the 4th, Kurt Suzuki laced a double followed by an RBI single by Braves rookie, Johan Camargo, gave the Braves the lead that they later wouldn’t give up.
Mike Foltynewicz had one mistake that came by a solo home run in the bottom of the 5th that allowed the Nationals to tie the game at 2-2. After that blow, Foltynewicz calmed down and was able to end the threats in the 5th and 6th innings allowing the Braves to rack up another run and give him the victory.
Back up catcher, Kurt Suzuki’s bat was on fire and he showed it once again with a solo home run in the 6th that gave the Braves the go-ahead run that would ultimately secure the victory.
Although Suzuki put the game away, it was Freeman who would get the most support and appreciation. In his third at bat, and 999 career hits intact, Freeman hit a ball that looked to be a home-run, that bounced off the wall, for a RBI double, making him the 5th Braves player to reach 1,000 hits before his 28th birthday and bringing the Braves lead to 4-2.
Coming off the DL, Freddie has looked to have not missed a step at all and continues his amazing season with two doubles and two RBI’s tonight.
Foltynewicz once again pitched a beauty, keeping the Nationals high powered offense on their toes only allowing 8 hits, 2 earned runs and striking out 5 in 6 innings of work. With Foltynewicz’s pitch count reaching the 100 mark, the Braves called to the bullpen to close the door on a already long and tiring night.
The Braves Bullpen did what it has done for most of the year, tonight and shut down the NL East leading, Nationals not allowing them to score and gaining a game on them in the division standings.
The Braves send R.A Dickey (6-5 4.44 ERA) to face Nationals, Max Scherzer (10-5 1.94 ERA).
Game is set to start at 7:05pm, that is weather permitting of course!
Join me in Congratulating Freddie on his 1,000 Career Hits
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