Braves Silence Broken as Reds Shut Out 1-0

Chris Sale is probably wondering what more does he have to do at this point. Sale delivered for the second start in a row as he threw seven shutout innings for the Atlanta Braves in this one and exited the game with no run support. Fortunately, the Braves came alive late and thanks to big hits from Michael Harris II and Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta was able to come away from this one with a dramatic 2-1 win in extras.

In the initial three innings of this game, not many significant events occurred as Chris Sale and Andrew Abbott each kept the score clean with zeros in the beginning stages. In the top of the first inning, the Reds almost managed to get some runs when TJ Friedl and Matt McLain executed a successful double steal, putting themselves into scoring positions with just one out remaining. However, Sale responded by striking out a batter and inducing a groundout, thereby escaping unscathed. Meanwhile, in the bottom of the second, Atlanta saw an opportunity arise when Sean Murphy and Eli White found themselves in scoring positions; yet again though, they failed to capitalize when Michael Harris II fanned for the final out. Apart from these instances, both teams struggled to make meaningful contributions through those opening frames, highlighting strong performances from pitchers Sale and Abbott throughout.

To convey just how monotonous and somewhat tiresome the initial part of this match was, spectators at the stadium started doing the wave as early as the fifth inning. Having attended numerous baseball games throughout the years, I can say with certainty that I've never witnessed a wave start so promptly before. This contest would particularly appeal to those who enjoy watching pitchers perform; believe me when I say they were the highlight here. However, for supporters anticipating an array of exciting plays beyond mere pitching, there wasn't much else worth noting in this game.

Nevertheless, Sale and Abbott were basically matching each other pitch for pitch throughout much of the earlier parts of the game. By then, Sale had completed six innings with nine strikeouts, giving up only four hits and one walk, all within just 92 pitches without allowing any runs. On the flip side, Abbott managed five innings with eight strikeouts, yielding merely four hits and not issuing any walks through his 91 pitches. To put it again: They were trading blows equally out there.

When Graham Ashcraft joined the game for the Reds during the sixth inning, it sparked a new wave of optimism that Atlanta’s batting line-up might finally get going. However, this did not happen right away; instead, upon entering the field, Ashcraft quickly subdued the core of Atlanta’s batters. In particular, Matt Olson faced off against Ashcraft over eleven intense pitches before ultimately striking out, ensuring that the score stayed at zero-all moving into the crucial part of the contest in the seventh inning.

Chris Sale returned to pitch the top of the seventh inning and quickly encountered difficulties after Austin Wynns launched a 388-foot double that would have cleared the outfield fence at most ballparks. Given the venue, however, it remained within play. It fell upon Sale to conclude his outing strongly by getting out of this jam. He managed to record the first two outs in the seventh but then issued a four-pitch walk, signaling the end of his appearance as he left with the bases loaded. This situation ultimately led to another fantastic start for the veteran hurler.

Pierce Johnson subsequently came into the room. struck out Matt McLain on four pitches, ensuring that Sale’s line remained pristine in terms of runs allowed on the night.

Graham Ashcraft continued pitching into the seventh inning, and the Braves managed to ignite a semblance of a rally during this stretch due to an initial walk drawn by Ozzie Albies followed by a successive hit from Sean Murphy, which positioned baserunners at first and third with no outs recorded yet. The pressure shifted heavily onto the lower part of their batting lineup when the Reds opted to bring in pitcher Tony Santillan aiming to extinguish the burgeoning threat.

The initial batter struck out when Eli White hit a ground ball to the third baseman, resulting in Albies getting tagged out along the baseline at third base. The following out was recorded when Michael Harris II swung at the very first pitch and sent it right to TJ Friedl in center field. This set the stage for Nick Allen, who drew a walk, loading the bases for Alex Verdugo. However, Alex ended their turn with a groundout to the first baseman, effectively ending what could have been the most promising opportunity for runs that evening.

After Elly De La Cruz started off the eighth inning with an infield single and a stolen base, it sure seemed like the baseball gods were setting up to punish the Braves for letting their bases-loaded opportunity go by the wayside. Sure enough, Santiago Espinal laced one out to center field, which meant that Elly De La Cruz was able to easily score from second in order to give the Reds the first run of the contest. Daysbel Hernández was able to get out of the rest of the inning without giving up any more damage but it was also clear that the Braves were going to need some more late heroics if they were going to leave the ballpark with the win on this particular evening.

Austin Riley got things going for Atlanta with a leadoff single and the obvious hope at this point was that this would be another one of those happy eighth-inning moments for the home team. That didn’t end up being the case for the Braves in this particular eighth ining, as Marcell Ozuna, Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies each went down in order, ensuring that this game would still be 1-0 Cincinnati heading into the ninth inning.

In the ninth inning, Emilio Pagán was pitching for the Reds when Sean Murphy managed to draw a walk against him, giving the Braves an opportunity in that frame. This time around, the Braves capitalized—Michael Harris II hit a line drive to right field for a double. Pinch runner Stuart Fairchild demonstrated impressive base-running skills by advancing from first to home on the double. tie the game up at one run apiece.

When Drake Baldwin came into the game as a pinch-hitter, he provided a valuable out that advanced Michael Harris II to within 90 feet of sealing the victory. After Alex Verdugo hit an out, this initiated what fans dubbed "Manfredball," leading to extra innings with Raisel Iglesias pitching for the Braves.

Iglesias quickly retired the Reds in order, putting the pressure back on the Braves, who needed only a single hit to secure victory when they came up to bat in the top of the tenth inning with key hitters due to step up. To prevent Austin Riley from getting an at-bat, the Reds opted to intentionally walk him, but this strategy proved ineffective as Marcell Ozuna capitalized on the next pitch, launching a powerful shot over the outfield wall in left field. walk it off and secure a thrilling victory for the Braves in extra innings.

After some delay, the Braves ultimately secured victory in this game. Chris Sale seems to have regained his form, Raisel Iglesias dominated impressively in the tenth inning, and the batting lineup finally came through with key hits towards the end. With this result, the Braves ensured they would share the spoils from these four games. They could certainly aim higher than just splitting when the series wraps up. At present, though, Atlanta has reason to rejoice over yet another dramatic come-from-behind triumph on their home turf.