The Braves salvaged a win from a near-disastrous series against the Orioles, one of MLB’s worst teams, on Sunday.
After dropping a 15-inning marathon Friday, and being unable to complete a rally the next game, the Braves came away with a 7-3 win.
Here’s what to know following the series:
1. The Braves had lost seven straight to Baltimore entering Sunday. Their win was their first over the Orioles since June 15, 2012. The Orioles hold a 14-13 all-time mark against the Braves in Atlanta.
2. Dan Winkler, Sam Freeman and Peter Moylan combined to allow nine earned runs Friday, but the bullpen pitched back-to-back shutouts in the following days. Shane Carle, Jesse Biddle, Winkler and A.J. Minter allowed just one hit in four innings Sunday.
“It’s a big win,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Having two tough days, those young guys in the bullpen stepped up big.”
3. Charlie Culberson came through with a two-run double that helped the Braves extend their lead in the finale. Since a 2-for-25 April, Culberson’s hit .308 while playing all around the field.
Snitker didn’t share the team’s plans for Culberson when Ronald Acuna returns, but he mentioned pinch-hit and switch opportunities should ensure Culberson continues receiving consistent playing time.
4. Speaking of Acuna, Snitker felt he’d spend at least another day in Triple-A Gwinnett rehabbing. There was thought he’d return Monday, though the Braves have played it extremely cautious with their budding star.
"They're still evaluating," Snitker said. "He's feeling good and all that, but talking to the doctors … Again, we don't want to rush him back. We want to make sure everything's healed. He feels like it is, the reports are really good. I'm not looking for results, I'm looking for health. How he's running, cutting, things like that. But we have to make sure he's absolutely ready before we bring him back."
5. The Braves open a three-game series with the suddenly red-hot Reds on Monday. Cincinnati just outscored the Cubs by 18 runs in a four-game sweep.
The Reds have certainly improved since last meeting the Braves near the end of April. Cincinnati took the first two before the Braves promoted Acuna, winning the ensuing two to split the series.
