Randall Delgado's first outing in the bigs could be described as respectable. He went just four innings and was charged with seven hits and three earned runs, but threw some good fastballs and struck out a couple of batters. But the Braves couldn't really get to Colby Lewis and went down to the AL East leading Rangers in the first game of a three game series, 6-2.
The Braves reliance on home runs has been well documented, and tonight was another case of such. The only runs the Braves could muster were solo home runs from Brian McCann and Freddie Freeman. Freeman has developed a knack for hitting the ball 450 feet or striking out, and hopefully this gets figured out soon.
Nelson Cruz didn't seem to be in the midst of a major slump tonight, as he went 2-5 with 3 RBI. His first hit that scored a run in the second inning was a broken bat bloop just out of the reach of Freddie Freeman's glove, but he lined one hard into center to rack up two more RBI in the fifth. Colby Lewis pitched a gem, going six and two thirds and allowing just the two earned runs and five hits, striking out ten batters on the night. You can also look for Lewis on top plays tomorrow, as he put out a jogging Jason Heyward at first with a glove scoop.
The Braves bullpen did a good job of holding the Rangers where they were from the fifth until the ninth. Texas tacked on an extra run in the ninth, but Jairo Asencio pitched himself into and out of a bases loaded, one out jam in the the inning with just the one run crossing the plate. Neftali Feliz had no trouble with the bottom third of the Braves order in the ninth.