The Braves offense showed signs of life early, courtesy of a two-run double from Adam Duvall in the first inning. However, a tough outing from Ian Anderson gave the San Francisco Giants the lead for the majority of the game. Anderson surrendered 5 hits, 3 of them round-trippers.
Late inning heroics have been a common theme for the Braves in the past. Tonight, it was Travis d’Arnaud’s turn. d’Arnaud cranked a three-run shot in the top of the ninth to give Atlanta a one-run lead entering the home half of the inning.
You up?#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/EbJ1gsGzsW
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 18, 2021
Will Smith continued to struggle in the closer role and surrendered the game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. The bullpen couldn’t hang on as the Braves fell to the Giants 6-5 in eleven innings.
Atlanta now holds a two game lead over the NL East and looks to bounce back in game two tonight at 9:05 ET.
More Braves News
- Jorge Soler continues to shine and could be one of Atlanta’s top trade acquisitions. Soler has driven in 22 runs in 40 games with the Braves.
- Atlanta seeks another NL East title as the Braves head west for a crucial road trip.
- Braves Mailbag: Freddie Freeman extension, Bullpen, Kyle Wright and more
MLB News
- San Diego Padres INF Jake Cronenworth is expected to return to the lineup this week against the Cardinals. Cronenworth suffered a fractured finger after being hit by a pitch on September 10.
- Miami Marlins SS Miguel Rojas is guaranteed $5.5M in 2022 if he reaches 500 plate appearances in 2021. Rojas is 4 plate appearances short of 500 this season.
- The Cincinnati Reds activated OF Jesse Winker from the IL following an intercostal strain. Winker has added strength to this Reds lineup, launching 24 homers through 481 plate appearances.
- The Kansas City Royals placed RHP Brady Singer on the IL with shoulder fatigue. Right-hander Jon Heasley will start in Singer’s place. Heasley put up a 3.33 ERA in Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
- The Minnesota Twins selected the contract of RHP Nick Vincent after putting SS Andrelton Simmons on the restricted list with visa-related issues. Vincent records a career 3.37 ERA and a 24.2% strikeout rate.
- The Cincinnati Reds have ended prospect Hunter Greene’s season with Triple-A Louisville as a precaution after the 22-year old reached his projected inning limit. During his time with Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville, Greene threw a combined 106.1 innings.
- The Boston Red Sox reinstated pitchers Chris Sale and Matt Barnes from the injured list. The Red Sox ace and closer both tested positive for coronavirus and are among many other players that have been affected by the outbreak in the clubhouse.
- The New York Mets have reinstated OF Brandon Nimmo from the IL after a hamstring strain tracing back to early September. Before missing nearly two weeks, Nimmo slashed .302/.420/.415 over 320 plate appearances.