Eventually, the luck would swing the Braves’ way. Eventually, the offense would pick up enough steam. Eventually, the bullpen wouldn’t devastate their chances.
That shortly awaited day came Monday, when the Braves were in lady luck’s good graces. They defeated the Cubs 8-0 in their sold-out home opener. They were gift-wrapped a night in which Chicago committed six errors. Six of the Braves’ eight runs were unearned.
“That first win is always big,” manager Brian Snitker said. “We did a bit of everything today. Got some big hits, made some really nice defensive plays. Ran the bases well. Bullpen was solid.”
» Photos: Scenes at Braves' home opener
The feel-good victory came less than 24 hours after the Braves were swept in Philadelphia. It ended a two-day period in which they were baseball's only winless team. It broke a season-opening three-game skid that already spiraled some Braves supporters into the depths.
Maybe all the they needed was to come home. Or at least face an opponent which appears to have a plethora of its own issues at the moment.
Ender Inciarte began the Braves’ good fortunes. The lead-off man popped out in foul ground, but Mark Zagunis botched the catch. Inciarte planted the next pitch in the seats for a 1-0 lead.
The Braves would score three more unearned runs in the first. The punctuation was Brian McCann’s first at-bat back in Atlanta, when he singled up the middle to score a pair of runs and give his hometown club a four-run advantage.
“To come back and answer like we did tonight, to throw a shutout and swing the bats like we did, I think we showed everyone what we’re capable of,” McCann said.
Ronald Acuna tacked on an out-of-the-park insurance run in the third, his first homer of the year. The Cubs had opportunities against Newcomb, who walked four and allowed six hits, yet they squandered every one.
Chicago had runners in scoring position every inning against Newcomb. He pitched around the danger every time until Anthony Rizzo’s lead-off single chased the lefty in the fifth. The Braves added two more runs in the bottom of the frame and another in the sixth (each helped by two errors).
“I was able to work out of some jams, and that was a good sign,” Newcomb said.
By night’s end, every starting member of the Cubs infield was charged with a miscue. Plus Zagunis, who ignited the Braves’ ambush. Unlike the previous three games, the Braves took advantage whenever the opponent made a mistake.
Even better for the home team: Wes Parsons, Jesse Biddle, Chad Sobotka and Arodys Vizcaino issued no walks. “They needed a night like this,” Snitker said. “It was really solid. Hopefully we can continue to build on that.”
The Braves are off Tuesday before facing the Cubs twice more. They’ll round out their first home stand with three against the Marlins this weekend.
“It’s a marathon,” Inciarte said. “We just have to compete. We have a really solid lineup. We’re going to score some runs. We just have to stay concentrated, play good defense. The pitching did a good job (Monday). So I always say, you get quick outs, the offense is going to roll.”
“That’s awesome. I know it was an emotional night for him. I know ever since he signed here he’s been looking forward to this night and getting back with his team. I’m happy for him.”
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