Nationals catcher Yan Gomes hit the go-ahead homer in the eighth, putting his team ahead for good and ending a late Braves rally. The Braves lost 5-3 to the Nationals Wednesday at Truist Park.
Here are five takeaways from the game:
1. Down 3-1, Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies reset the game with a two-run double off Daniel Hudson in the seventh. It was a moment common amongst Braves teams of the past three years: a key hit in a clutch moment to help the team produce a comeback.
But Gomes launched a two-out homer off reliever A.J. Minter in the following inning. The Nationals added an insurance run in the ninth, while the Braves went six up, six down in the final two frames.
“If it’s going to go bad, it has, that’s for sure,” manager Brian Snitker said.
2. Braves starter Drew Smyly has had a frustrating season plagued by home runs. He’s surrendered 14 homers, but even more troublesome, half of those have come with two strikes. Juan Soto provided the latest two-strike damage, homering on an 0-2 pitch for a two-run shot that broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth.
“I’m giving up a lot of homers and they’re putting good swings on it,” Smyly said. “But it also kind of seems like I’m beating myself. I think I’ve given up seven two-strike homers this season, so half my homers. I’d probably say at least five of those have been 0-2, 1-2 counts (five exactly). I’m in total control and I’m making a bad pitch, whether it’s a curveball or fastball, I’m leaving it over the plate. … Those two-strike homers, they make you frustrated.”
3. Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson homered six times in May. He’s on the board for June after hitting a solo shot off Jon Lester in the second inning. It extended Swanson’s hitting streak to 11 games, dating back to May 19. He’s hit .372/.378/.767 with five doubles and four homers during the run.
“I’ve been working my tail off,” Swanson said. “I’ve just gotten back to what’s made me successful and been intentional with my work every day. I’m trying to have a lot of focus on the things I do that made me successful last year. Some of that stems from just routine stuff, getting back into the right routine and what fits me. I’m a very rhythm-oriented person.”
4. The Braves fell to 0-8 in games tied after seven innings. They’re 1-17 when trailing after eight. The 2018-20 Braves were known for their comebacks. This team just hasn’t shown the same spunk in the later innings.
The Braves also dropped to 12-14 in divisional games, another area in which they previously excelled during their three-run run atop the National League East.
“I don’t think anybody takes losing very well here,” Swanson said. “So obviously, it is frustrating that we’re not playing as well as we know we’re capable of. I think that’s the more frustrating thing. We know and believe we’re better than what we are right now. I think that is the frustrating part and it’s leading to some of the losses.”
5. In one of the Braves’ better defensive plays of the season, Albies made a spectacular play to record the second out in the eighth. He caught up to a ball hit by Josh Bell that almost escaped the infield between first and second. Albies then spun and fired the ball to reliever A.J. Minter, who fell forward while receiving the ball at first base.
Stat to know
4-1/2 (The Braves fell to 4-1/2 games behind the division-leading Mets, their largest deficit in the NL East this season.)
Quotable
“If I learned one thing from my momma, it’s to have faith. I think it applies in this situation. Just have faith that we’ll get out of it and really start to roll soon. I really do believe that.” - Swanson
Up next
The Braves and Nationals wrap up their series Thursday afternoon. Braves left-hander Tucker Davidson will return from Triple-A and make his latest spot start. He’ll oppose Nationals lefty Patrick Corbin.
