3/21/18 9:00pm

Preston Tucker goes 2-4 as Braves beat Tigers 3-2

Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

By. Andrew Rodberg

Following a 6-0 win vs the Blue Jays and an off day as previously stated in Teheran pitches a gem as Braves shutout the Blue Jays 6-0 the Braves remained at home for a showdown with the Tigers on Wednesday night. In doing so, they sent Brandon McCarthy to the mound to take on Tigers’ Francisco Liriano. With the start set for 6:05pm the Tigers got off to a fast start as lead-off man, Leonys Martin laced a double to right field and Alexi Amarista reached on an infield error to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 1st, the Braves threatened with a single and 2 walks but were unable to produce a run.

In the 2nd inning, McCarthy settled in and caused 3 straight ground-outs to keep the score 1-0. The second inning continued to cause problems for Francisco Liriano as he issued his 3rd walk of the game and gave up an RBI double to Rio Ruiz to tie the game at 1-1.

The 3rd inning was more of the same for the Braves as they were able to get multiple runners on base and yet another RBI double (this time by Preston Tucker) gave the Braves a 2-1 lead as McCarthy continued to deal.

As the 4th inning got underway, McCarthy left a ball up in the strike-zone (on a 2-2 count) and Mikie Mahtook made him pay with a solo home-run to tie the game at 2-2. Following that home-run, the game slowed down as both starting pitchers would not allow a single run in innings 5-6.

*** McCarthy’s day came to an end after 6 innings of work, 5 hit, 2 R, 1 ER and 4 SO’s.

*** Liriano’s day came to an end after 6 innings of work, 4 hits, 2 R, 2 ER and 4 SO’s.

In the top of the 7th, Jose Ramirez took the mound and had some trouble after giving up 2 walks but didn’t give up any runs and Tigers relief pitcher Drew VerHagen set down the Braves in order.

The 8th inning was when the Braves pulled away and ultimately gave themselves the W.  A forced walk and stolen base by Lane Adams, gave the Braves a runner in scoring position. The Braves then went to todays go to guy (Preston Tucker)  who came up big with a single to right to score Adams and give the Braves a 3-2 lead.  In the top of the 9th, the Braves sent Arodys Vizcaino to the mound and he delivered a perfect inning with a pop-out, fly-out, and ground-out to the end the game and get the Braves to 13-13 for ST.

Key Players:

Brandon McCarthy: 6 innings, 5 hits, 5 SO, 1 ER,

Preston Tucker:  2-4, 2 RBI

Arodys Vizcaino: 1 inning, no hits, 1 Save

Looking Ahead:

The Braves now look ahead to a showdown with the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Florida tomorrow at 1:05pm.

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