Braves use three homers to outscore Brewers in series opener

Chirinos was expected to go around four innings. He’s one of several pitchers the Braves have added recently to bolster their depth as they navigate injuries. Ace starter Max Fried, sidelined since May with a forearm strain, is set for his fourth rehab start Saturday and could soon rejoin the club.

“It was good,” manager Brian Snitker said of Chirinos. “He threw it over. I was hoping we’d get four innings out of him. He hadn’t pitched in a while. He’s not a strikeout guy. He’s a contact guy.”

2. Third baseman Austin Riley and first baseman Matt Olson launched back-to-back homers off former Brave Bryse Wilson in a four-run seventh. Olson’s 82 RBIs are second in the majors (Adolis Garcia, 84) while Riley has hit eight home runs in 20 games this month.

Wilson, who’d been having a nice season for the Brewers, was charged with four earned runs on five hits in an inning. Seeing Wilson face the Braves twice in the past week, how could one not reminisce about his Game 4 start in the 2020 National League Championship Series? Wilson allowed one run over six innings, outdueling Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw. Undoubtedly the highlight of his career so far.

3. With the trade deadline looming Aug. 1, the Braves would benefit from additional bullpen reinforcements. President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has already made multiple moves, recently acquiring relievers Pierce Johnson – who pitched a scoreless inning Friday – and Taylor Hearn.

The Braves’ pitching staff has an ERA over 5.00 since the All-Star break. The bullpen, weakened by injuries, could use more juice even when southpaws A.J. Minter and Dylan Lee return. Minter pitched well in a rehab appearance Friday and should return in the coming week (“I hope his next outing will be here,” Snitker said). But adding another quality reliever could make a difference in October.

The rotation needs assistance just to get the team through the rest of the regular season without burning out its bullpen, too. So add a reliable innings eater on the shopping list. The Braves as constructed are a championship-caliber roster, but the safe bet is Anthopoulos has another deal or two in him before 6 p.m. Tuesday.

“If this is our team, I think we have great confidence in the team we have,” Olson said. “It’s way past my job title on adding and subtracting guys. We have a lot of confidence in our guys. I’m positive if Alex were to go do something, it’s for the betterment of the team.”

Asked about his faith in Anthopoulos, Olson added: “We have full confidence in him. Ever since the second I’ve been over here, you can tell he cares a lot. He cares a lot about putting a good team together. He cares a lot about putting good guys in the clubhouse together, which might be more important. It feels like he knows when to make the right moves at the right times. It’s a good feeling.”

4. Marcell Ozuna needed that swing: The designated hitter blasted a solo shot off Brewers starter Adrian Houser to tie the game in the fourth. Ozuna, after a couple of sizzling months, slumped in July. He was hitting .155 with a .440 OPS in 19 games while striking out in 32 of his 71 at-bats.

Outfielder Eddie Rosario had a two-hit performance. He was hitting .182 with a .558 OPS since June 22 (25 games). Ozuna’s and Rosario’s struggles justify the Braves adding another outfielder, but both have previously shown how impactful they can be.

“We need them to be a part of this,” Snitker said of Ozuna and Rosario. “They’ve been struggling a little bit, so it was good to see them both kind of come out today.”

5. Friday was Hank Aaron Night, when the Braves honored the Hall of Famer’s life and legacy. The Braves wore their city uniforms – which were designed to honor Aaron and that era of the team’s history – against Milwaukee, the other city and organization that was so special to Aaron.

Aaron’s great grandson proclaimed the ceremonious “let’s play ball” before the game. His widow Billye was also present. Videos commemorating Aaron were shown throughout the evening in between innings.

Stat to know

4 -- Former Brewer Orlando Arcia has four RBIs in four games against the Brewers this season.

Quotable

“Alex will do as he pleases. Everybody has faith in anything he wants to do or not do. We have a great team in that clubhouse right now, but if something comes around, I’m sure Alex has our best interest in mind.” – Olson

Up next

The Braves and Brewers continue their series Saturday at 7:20 p.m. when Bryce Elder (7-2, 3.30) faces former long-time Brave Julio Teheran (2-4, 3.75).