BRAVES NEWS
Kurt Suzuki leads Braves to sweep-busting victory over Nationals, 5-3
The Nationals took the first two games of a three-game series against Atlanta this week, and on Wednesday had an opportunity to sweep the Braves. Fortunately for the visiting side, the bats actually showed up, with three home runs accounting for most of the damage. Two of those blasts came off the bat of Kurt Suzuki, with the other coming courtesy of Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Braves starter Brandon McCarthy pitched five innings, allowing one run before he was lifted due to a left shoulder injury. The Atlanta bullpen was mostly effective, aside from Arodys Vizcaino, who allowed Matt Adams to tie the game in the ninth with a solo homer.
Brandon McCarthy not expected to miss next start despite partial shoulder dislocation
As noted above, Brandon McCarthy left Wednesday’s game after the fifth inning with a dislocated left shoulder, and after the game reports indicated that he should not be expected to miss his next scheduled start. This is good news for both McCarthy and the Braves, as the veteran has been very effective thus far in 2018.
Atlanta Braves 2018 MLB Draft Preview: Midseason update
The MLB Draft is closing quickly, with two months remaining until the Braves will be picking eighth overall, and our own Matt Powers previews the event with a mid-season update. As Matt notes, there are a handful of players who are beginning to separate themselves from the pack, but with half a season yet to be played, the pecking order is certainly subject to change prior to draft day. Stay tuned for more draft coverage by Matt and the prospect staff in the coming weeks.
MLB NEWS
Benches clear twice, 4 ejected as Yanks top Sox
If you enjoy fights, then yesterday was a good day for you as a baseball fan, with two games featuring bench-clearing brawls. The Yankees and Red Sox brawl began with Tyler Austin coming into second base with his spikes up toward Brock Holt, which ignited Boston and led to Joe Kelly gently placing a 97 MPH fastball on Austin’s left elbow.
Tempers erupt as Arenado charges mound
Personally, I enjoyed this fight much more than the Yankees-Red Sox tangle, as this one featured an MVP candidate having a glove thrown at him, then attempting a wild barrage of aimless punches that looked absolutely ridiculous. Nolan Arenado did not take kindly to being plunked with a Luis Perdomo fastball, so he charged the mound, and Perdomo responded with a glove throw followed by a quick duck to avoid a running hook from Arenado.