September 8, 2024; Cumberland, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) pitches in the course of the second inning towards the Toronto Blue Jays at Truist Park. Necessary Credit score: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Pictures The Atlanta Braves will attempt to enhance their possibilities of making the playoffs by concluding a three-game collection with the host Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.
Marcell Ozuna hit a double and hit his first residence run in 27 video games to carry Atlanta to a 7-1 victory in Sport 2 of the collection on Wednesday win. Ozuna drove in a double, giving him his 100 RBI for the season. Ozuna is now two homers away from hitting 40 residence runs and 100 RBIs for the second straight season.
The veteran designated hitter is hitting .213 with 11 residence runs and 22 RBIs by the primary two months of the 2023 season.
“It means loads,” Ozuna stated of his subsequent success. “After a tough begin final 12 months, to start out this 12 months the best way I needed to, I’ve stored that going all 12 months lengthy, (and) it is good for It is superb and particular to me.
Warriors head coach Brian Snitker added: “It is superior. He might be one other 40-year-old and 100-year-old participant. From final 12 months, nobody would have considered that. I really feel for this man, He takes delight in every part he does and his persistence there, and I do know his teammates actually admire him as properly.
Atlanta (82-70) stays two video games behind the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks for the Nationwide League’s ultimate two wild-card spots.
“The standings, we’re not fearful about that,” Ozuna stated. “As a participant, we do not fear about that. We simply go on the market and have enjoyable and win video games. We simply need to win video games and never fear about, ‘Oh, the Phillies are up by 10 video games, the Mets are up by one or two. No matter they do What it’s, we simply fear about successful video games, and if we won’t win video games, we’re not going to (catch) them.
Cincinnati (74-79) misplaced to Atlanta on Wednesday and was formally eradicated. The Reds initially had aspirations of creating the playoffs in 2024, however as a result of accidents and a layoff that started in spring coaching, they’re nonetheless far-off.
The crew misplaced star infielder Matt McClain to a shoulder harm in spring coaching. First baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand suffered a damaged hand a month into the season, heart fielder T.J. Friedel was on the injured checklist 3 times and third baseman Noelve Martein Suspended 80 video games for violating Main League Baseball’s anti-doping coverage.
Moreover, 4 of Cincinnati’s 5 pitchers who’ve began probably the most video games this 12 months are at present on the injured checklist.
The Reds began the season 14-10 however by no means bought higher. They spent the second half of the season attempting to get to .500. After their current loss to the Warriors, Cincinnati should win seven of its ultimate 9 video games to interrupt even on the season.
“It would not change something for us,” supervisor David Bell stated. “Clearly, that is the aim and the one factor that issues. However not but. It is not going to vary our strategy to the remainder of the video games. I am very assured to see the gamers we’ve got get there and we’ll proceed to be like Play simply as onerous all 12 months lengthy.
The Braves will put ace left-hander Chris Sale (17-3, 2.35 ERA) on the mound within the deciding sport of the collection. If the Nationwide League Cy Younger Award favourite begins three extra video games and wins all of them, he may attain 20 wins.
Sale has received seven straight video games in his final 13 begins since a 1-0 highway loss to the Chicago White Sox on June 27.
The eight-time All-Star will face Cincinnati for the second time in his profession. On June 1, 2023, he represented the Boston Purple Sox in 3 2/3 innings towards the Reds, permitting one run on 5 hits and one run. He then left the sport as a result of scapula stress response and missed greater than two video games. moon.
The Reds will counter with right-hander Julian Aguiar (2-0, 4.88 ERA) making his seventh begin of his rookie season. Aguiar allowed three runs on three hits in 6 1/3 innings of a highway win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday. He’ll face Atlanta for the primary time.
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