Braves have played second most one-run games in majors
If it feels as if the Braves have played an exhausting number of one-run games, that’s because they have.
After losing 4-3 to Colorado on Friday, the Braves have played 47 one-run games this season. It was their fourth consecutive one-run game, a stretch in which they’ve gone 1-3 against the Dodgers and Rockies.
Only the Mets have played more one-run games (52) than the Braves, who are now 22-25 in such contests. The Braves’ results in those games rank second worst in the majors behind the White Sox (13-20).
The Braves’ franchise record is 60 one-run games, set in 1988. These Braves have 29 games remaining.
Braves notes:
- The Braves entered Saturday with a two-game lead over the Phillies in the National League East, along with a four-game lead over the Mets. Regardless of Saturday’s results, the Braves will enter Sept. 5 in first place.
The latest a Braves team with sole possession of first place has lost the division is Sept. 6, when the 2010 Braves held a half-game lead and ultimately lost the East to the Phillies. These Braves will try to avoid a similar fate in what’s shaping up to be a memorable finish in the division.
- Adam Duvall has made three starts in center field, where he’s drawn rave reviews. As Snitker continues mixing and matching his newly redesigned outfield, expect to see more of Duvall in the middle.
“He’s just a good outfielder,” Snitker said. “Good instincts. The arm plays. Very versatile guy, very athletic.”
Duvall’s bat is a difference maker. He slugged his 30th home run Thursday, which was his eighth since rejoining the Braves on July 30. He has 22 RBIs in 31 games with the team. He has 90 RBIs, closing in on his second career 100-RBI season (the other came in 2016).
“I love seeing him push toward 100 RBIs, that’s pretty cool,” Snitker said. “It’s been so good to get him back here. He’s added a lot since he’s got back. I just feel like this is where he belongs.”
- Second baseman Ozzie Albies was back in the lineup Friday after a two-game absence. Albies fouled a ball off his left knee Tuesday and had to be carried off the field. He and the Braves avoided a disaster scenario, and the All-Star barely missed any time.
Albies, 24, has played in all but four of the Braves’ 133 games.
“I will make sure nothing holds me down,” he said Friday. “I will go out there and do my thing. That’s who I am.”
- Down at Triple-A Gwinnett, lefty Kyle Muller is building on the success he found during his first major-league stint. He allowed two runs over six innings in his latest start Wednesday, which was his third consecutive quality start since returning to Triple-A. He’s covered six innings in each start.
Muller last pitched in the majors Aug. 12, when he was lit up by the Reds. But that shouldn’t overshadow the positives he showed as a rookie, which included impressive outings against the Mets and Brewers. It’s likely Muller will remain at Triple-A for the rest of the season, though if he’s needed at the major-league level, he could plug into the bullpen.
About the Author
Gabriel Burns is a general assignment reporter and features writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After four years on the Braves beat, he's expanded his horizons and covers all sports. You'll find him writing about MLB, NFL, NBA, college football and other Atlanta-centric happenings.
