{"id":35836,"date":"2020-08-01T23:47:19","date_gmt":"2020-08-02T03:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/?p=35836"},"modified":"2020-08-01T23:56:36","modified_gmt":"2020-08-02T03:56:36","slug":"atlanta-braves-start-strong-defeat-new-york-mets-7-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2020\/08\/01\/atlanta-braves-start-strong-defeat-new-york-mets-7-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Braves Start Strong, Defeat New York Mets 7-1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/mlb-teams\/atlanta-braves\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Atlanta Braves<\/a> won their fourth straight game and improved to 4-0 at Truist Park after defeating the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/mlb-teams\/new-york-mets\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New York Mets<\/a> 7-1 on Saturday night. With this win, Atlanta moved to 4-1 against New York on the season.<\/p>\n<h3>Braves Pile It on Early<\/h3>\n<p>The Braves got off to a quick start against Mets starting pitcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wachami01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Michael Wacha<\/strong><\/a>. With two outs and the bases empty in the first inning, Wacha walked Braves first baseman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/freemfr01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Freddie Freeman<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong> Then, outfielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/o\/ozunama01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcell Ozuna<\/a><\/strong> stepped up to the plate and delivered with a two-run home run to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Greetings from Marcell Ozuna \ud83d\ude0e<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ForTheA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#ForTheA<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/W70TVxvBzo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/W70TVxvBzo. However. Braves. Braves. Mets. Mets. As a result. However, Braves. Also, Braves. Consequently. But. Yes. Acuna. Mets. Also. However<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Braves\/status\/1289705741960589313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 1, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Braves weren&#8217;t done just yet, as they continued to add to their lead in the second inning. Two-out RBI doubles from catcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/flowety01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Tyler Flowers<\/strong><\/a> and outfielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/acunaro01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr.<\/a><\/strong> and an RBI single from second baseman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/albieoz01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ozzie Albies<\/strong><\/a> pushed the lead to 5-0. After Wacha was removed from the game in the fifth inning, the Braves had tagged him for five runs, seven hits, and a home run.<\/p>\n<h3>Toussaint Pitches Four Scoreless Innings<\/h3>\n<p>On Friday, Braves manager Brian Snitker announced that right-handed pitcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/toussto01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Touki Toussaint<\/strong><\/a> would get the start on Saturday. Toussaint was looking to get back on track after allowing six earned runs against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonbaseball.com\/mlb-teams\/tampa-bay-rays\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tampa Bay Rays<\/a> in his first appearance this season. Although the 24-year-old struggled with his command against New York, he managed to get through four scoreless innings while striking out five batters. He ran into some trouble in the fourth inning, as he gave up hits to right fielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/confomi01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Michael Conforto<\/strong><\/a> and second baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/canoro01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robinson Cano<\/a><\/strong>, and walked left fielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/smithdo02.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Dominic Smith<\/strong><\/a>. However, he struck out catcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/ramoswi01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Wilson Ramos<\/strong><\/a> and got a groundout from shortstop <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rosaram01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Amed Rosario<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to get out of the bases loaded jam.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You look at something like and this and you&#8217;re like, man, all the hard work&#8217;s been paying off,&#8221; Toussaint <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FOXSportsSouth\/status\/1289764816740069377?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">told<\/a> reporters. &#8220;It&#8217;s a building block that I&#8217;m [going to] go ahead and use and keep trying to get more innings in.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3>Tomlin Saves the Bullpen<\/h3>\n<p>With <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jackslu01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luke Jackson<\/a><\/strong> on the mound for the Braves in the fifth inning, things started to get dicey as Jackson struggled with his control. As a result, Jackson gave up two hits, a walk, and an earned run. He also went to a three-ball count with four of the five hitters he faced.<\/p>\n<p>With Jackson on the ropes, Snitker called upon veteran pitcher <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tomlijo01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Josh Tomlin<\/strong> <\/a>to put out the fire. Tomlin did just that, and much more. Not only did he get out the jam and keep the game at 5-1, but he worked 2 1\/3 innings while striking out three batters and not allowing a baserunner.<\/p>\n<h3>Acu\u00f1a Gets Going<\/h3>\n<p>No one expected Acu\u00f1a to be hitting .152 without a home run or RBI at the beginning of August. The young superstar has had a hard time catching up to fastballs and hasn&#8217;t looked like himself at the plate. Consequently, he leads the majors with 18 strikeouts through nine games. However, Acu\u00f1a finally showed signs on Saturday that he was emerging from this slump. He doubled in a run in the second inning to lengthen the Braves lead to 5-0, and hit a line drive into the left-field seats in the sixth inning to make it 6-0. This home run came off the bat at 113.8 mph &#8212; his <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SlangsOnSports\/status\/1289738002650902528?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">third-hardest hit home run<\/a> of his career. Acu\u00f1a and the Braves are hoping that this is what the phenom needs to finally get over the hump and return to form.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/streamable.com\/m\/acuna-s-solo-home-run-x3331\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s been working hard,&#8221; Snitker said after the game. &#8220;He&#8217;s here early every day. So that&#8217;ll be a nice shot in the arm if we can get him good, doing what he does.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3>Up Next<\/h3>\n<p>The Braves will host the Mets at Truist Park again on Sunday afternoon at 1:10 Eastern. The Braves will send <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wrighky01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyle Wright<\/a><\/strong> (0-1, 16.88 ERA) to the mound. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/peterda01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>David Peterson<\/strong><\/a> (1-0, 3.18 ERA) will make his second career start for the Mets.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"Y4W0RSiaRvJnpYy-3x-ZCA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1227876055\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Y4W0RSiaRvJnpYy-3x-ZCA',sig:'SMVT24sc2nB-oeGQQEHWHjHW8jafGmm3b7QxKgz8clk=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1227876055',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Atlanta Braves won their fourth straight game and improved to 4-0 at Truist Park after defeating the New York Mets 7-1 on Saturday night. With this win, Atlanta moved to 4-1 against New York on the season. Braves Pile It on Early The Braves got off to a quick start against Mets starting pitcher [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2924,"featured_media":35871,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,22],"tags":[48,726,164,1982,302,927],"class_list":["post-35836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-braves","category-mets","tag-atlanta-braves","tag-michael-wacha","tag-new-york-mets","tag-ronald-acuna-jr","tag-touki-toussaint","tag-tyler-flowers"],"modified_by":"Aaron Cornett","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2924"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35836"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35836\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}