Braves Fail to Capitalize on Offense, Drop Series Opener Versus Angels

The Atlanta Braves dropped the series opener 3-2 to the Los Angeles Angels in Angels Stadium on Friday night.

Here’s what you need to know about from the contest.

Spencer Schwellenbach pitched well enough

The rookie entered today's start with a spectacular run of control - only three walks (against 45 strikeouts) in his last 39 innings pitched.

By those standards, tonight's outing was remarkably wild. Schwellenbach hit a batter and walked two batters, the last two knocking him out of the game in the 6th. One of those runners came around to score, meaning this was the first start of three earned runs (or more) for Schwellenbach since July 21st, when he gave up four to the St. Louis Cardinals.

But it was still a successful start - three runs allowed on four hits and two walks in five-plus innings, striking out eight. He threw 92 pitches (61 strikes) and picked up 17 whiffs and a well-above-average 37% CSW on them.

Familiar offensive struggles

In a season full of inexplicably poor offensive performances, tonight was another one of those frustrating outings for the Braves bats.

Atlanta got the leadoff man on base in five consecutive innings but only brought that runner around to score once. (In the fourth inning, Sean Murphy and Jarred Kelenic hit RBI singles to score Marcell Ozuna, who singled to open the inning, and Matt Olson, who walked.) Through that streak, taking the team through the first six innings, they were just 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

The Braves finished this one with just the two runs on seven hits despite getting the leadoff man on in six of the game's nine innings (a HBP, three walks, and two singles). They ultimately stranded 11 while going just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

Marcell Ozuna gets off the skid

The Big Bear has been the most consistent offensive performer for Atlanta this season, batting .302 and leading both the team and the National League in several categories like home runs (35, 2nd in NL) and RBI (90, NL leader).

But he followed up a good weekend against the Colorado Rockies with an absolutely brutal stretch against the San Francisco Giants, going 4-17 with 10 strikeouts and seeing his batting average drop below .300 for just the 3rd time all season.

The Angels apparently cure all ills, with Ozuna going 3-4 with a walk and a run scored. His final hit of the game came off of fireballer Ben Joyce, with Ozuna fighting past 100+ MPH fastballs to lift an inside sinker at 96 mph to center field to extend the game.

What’s next for the Atlanta Braves?

Atlanta's looking to tie the series on Saturday evening, sending Cy Young favorite Chris Sale (13-3, 2.61 ERA) to the mound opposite righty Griffin Canning (4-10, 5.11 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 9:38 PM ET and will be on Bally Sports Southeast.