Kyle Taylor, Valdosta Today Sports
PHOENIX – The Diamondbacks returned home for Monday’s opening game against the Braves after losing a 17 inning game in Milwaukee on Sunday.
The Braves, however, were coming off one of their more satisfying wins of the season against the Giants.
Alex Wood (3-2) was going for his third straight win on Monday night at Chase Field against Arizona’s rookie, Archie Bradley (2-2), who has been trying to figure out MLB hitters.
The Braves finished the game with 13 hits and went on to win the opening game of the three game series, 8-1.
Wood tossed eight innings, giving up one run on seven hits. Cahill finished the game in the ninth after Wood had already thrown 113 pitches. The Braves starter would get the scoring started off with a two-RBI single up the middle in the second inning.
Andrelton Simmons also had a big game with three hits, an RBI, and a run scored. Simmons was inserted into the two spot in the lineup with his hot hitting of late, going 15-37 in his current ten-game hitting streak.
Arizona’s starter, Archie Bradley, who has struggled in his last four outings, told Diamondbacks beat writer, Jake Rill, “It wasn’t necessarily walking guys or putting myself in bad situations, it was just leaving balls up. I’ve just got to be better, just all around.”
Freddie Freeman is finding his swing as well after hitting his third home run in his last four games. It was Freeman’s eighth of the season. The Braves first baseman is not currently in the top five of NL All-Star voting.
Freeman told MLB.com, “I always see the ball good here. It’s a great batter’s eye. It’s just one of those things that when I come here I hit well. Hopefully, I didn’t just jinx myself for the next two games.”
Cameron Maybin was scratched in the lineup due to soreness in his left leg. It does not sound to be serious, but will be missed in the lineup if he misses any time.
That is three straight wins for the Braves and puts them over .500 on the season. With the bats heating up and the consistent pitching, it looks like Atlanta is poised to make a run at Nats.
The chances of gaining ground in the division are always helped when Shelby Miller (5-2) gets the call, which will happen Tuesday night against Josh Collmenter (3-5) of the Diamondbacks. Miller is tied with Zack Greinke of the Dodgers for a league leading ERA of 1.48.
Arizona is fighting with Colorado to stay out of last place in the NL West, and the Braves now sit at two and half behind the Nationals in third place. First pitch Tuesday will be at 9:40 PM ET from Chase Field in Phoenix.
Braves Question of the Day
Do you consider Andrelton Simmons an All-Star shortstop?
