The baseball Gods couldn’t have picked a better day for a 20-year-old rookie to make his home park debut. The sun was shining and the air was a warm 89 degrees when Didier Fuentes threw his first pitch of the game. On Tuesday night, Fuentes was back on the mound for the Atlanta Braves in game two of the series with the Los Angeles Angels.
Fuentes was making his third career start in the Majors and looking for his first career win. Well, one out of two isn’t bad. The Braves defeated the Angels 8-3 following a grand slam from Matt Olson and a three-run home run from Sean Murphy. Both roundtrippers came in a huge sixth inning that ended when Marcel Ozuna popped out to third base.
The inning was so long that Ozuna was able to make two outs in two separate at-bats. He grounded out to make the second out before the rally started with a single from Jurickson Profar.
On Fuentes’s performance, Braves manager Brian Snitker said the rookie pitched well.
“Every time he goes out there it’s going to be a new experience,” Snitker said.
He began the night by striking out the first batter he faced, Angels shortstop Zach Neto. Then the bottom fell out. He walked the second batter he faced, first baseman Nolan Schanuel, then struck out Mike Trout, before giving up a single to Taylor Ward, and a two-run single to Joe Adell.
Welcome to Truist Park, Didier.
For a team that has lost its best two starting pitchers (Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach) for the next couple of months, getting a bad start to this game is the least of their worries. The Braves hadn’t won a series since sweeping the New York Mets at Truist Park a couple of weeks ago.
Atlanta had an opportunity to go ahead or at least tie the game at two in the first inning when Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi gave up singles to Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Matt Olson, and then walked the bases loaded when Marcel Ozuna took the plate. Austin Riley and Jurickson Profar struck out, and then Ozzie Albies flew out to right field. Inning over.
The issue of the Braves not being able to take advantage of runners in scoring position reared its ugly head again. Last night, Michael Harris II tripled to lead off the fifth inning, just to stand there while his teammates failed to bring him home.
The Angels threatened to score again in the third inning with runners on the corners and two outs, before former Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler struck out. The strikeout was Fuentes’s fifth of the game at that point.
After walking Christian Moore with two outs in the fourth inning, Braves manager Brian Snitker decided to take Fuentes out of the game and let reliever Aaron Bummer get the third out. Neto, already 0-2 in the game, grounded out to end the inning.
For Fuentes, that was his third consecutive start without reaching the fourth inning. This was much different from his previous start in New York, when he gave up eight hits and six earned runs. Fuentes pitched well on Tuesday night, and whether he deserves it or not, he will more than likely get another start after the All-Star break.
The Braves had a pair of runners in scoring position again in the sixth inning after Jurickson and Ozzie Albies each singled off of Kikuchi, knocking him out of the game. Sean Murphy hit a three-run home run off of reliever Ryan Zeferjahn on the first pitch of the at-bat. Profar’s solo home run in the seventh inning brought the 31,519 fans in attendance to their feet.
What’s New: Jurickson Profar made his Truist Park debut on Tuesday night after missing half the regular season with a suspension. Profar started in left field instead of Alex Verdugo (.239 batting average, 12 RBI, .296 OBP, .585 OPS in 56 games), who was designated for assignment following Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to the Angels.
Good To See You, Travis: Former Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud was welcomed to the plate with a standing ovation before his first at-bat of the series. A very popular player during his time with Atlanta, d’Arnaud struck out to start the second inning.
Two-game Hit Streak: With a single in the sixth inning, Michael Harris II has now hit safely in consecutive games. Normally, that wouldn’t be enough to celebrate, but this has been no ordinary season for Harris II or the Atlanta Braves.
“His at-bats have been better,” Snitker said about his center fielder. “Hopefully that gets him going.”
Harris also stole a base during the game.
What’s Next: The Braves and Angels will play again on Thursday night. The Baltimore Orioles will be in town for a three-game series beginning on Friday, July 4th, to kick off Independence Day.
