Lucas Sims got the start today, bumping R.A. Dickey to avoid over-exposing him to a division rival that figures to face him a handful of times this coming season. Sims started the game off in rocky fashion, allowing two runs in his first inning of work, but buckled down to throw two more scoreless frames while allowing just one more hit. After that, the offense and bullpen took over, claiming a victory over a split-squad Mets contingent.
As noted, the game did not start off great for Sims. He allowed a liner up the middle to Juan Lagares to start the game, and Lagares stole second and scored on a one-out Michael Conforto double. After Sims notched his first strikeout for the second out, Dominic Smith roped another liner into the outfield, bringing home Conforto. Sims then struck out Amed Rosario to end the threat.
In his next two innings, Sims faced the minimum. A one-out single was erased by a double play in the second, and the third featured three straight outs in the air. His final line: three innings, four hits, two runs, two strikeouts. Happily, he settled down after getting hit a bit hard in the first, and even more happily, did not walk anyone in the outing.
The Braves used the longball to get back in the game. In the second, Matt Tuiasosopo took Zach Wheeler out of the park for a solo shot. It was his third homer in three straight plate appearances (he homered twice yesterday against the Yankees). In the third, Brandon Phillips hit his first in-game homer in a Braves uniform out to left field.
The Braves then put together a bigger rally to break the tie in the fifth: Phillips drew a leadoff walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Travis Demeritte, who promptly stole second. Demeritte advanced to third on a Nick Markakis groundout, and then scored after Matt Kemp reached on a fielder’s choice to the shortstop. That brought up Adonis Garcia, who capped the scoring with a two-run homer.
The relief corps did solid work. Josh Collmenter relieved Sims and pitched two scoreless innings. After that, Jim Johnson, Arodys Vizcaino, Max Fried, and Luke Jackson pitched scoreless frames of their own to nail down the win. Vizcaino allowed two baserunners but struck out two, while Fried punched out the first two guys he faced, then walked the third batter and picked him off to end the inning.
In terms of exciting prospect developments, Ozzie Albies didn’t play in this one. Ronald Acuna went 0-for-2, but Rio Ruiz went 2-for-4 with a double. Demeritte stole the aforementioned base and scored the aforementioned run, but went 0-for-2 with a strikeout otherwise.
The Braves will travel to play the Cardinals tomorrow afternoon. The listed opposing starter for that one is none other than John Gant, and he’ll be opposed by Mike Foltynewicz. That game also appears to be televised, which could make for a nice Saturday activity if you’re so inclined.
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