The Atlanta Braves took on the Chicago Cubs in Arizona for Spencer Schwellenbach’s last start of spring training.
The Braves deployed a lineup that looks like it could potentially be the opening day lineup against Brad Keller, who is non-roster invitee.
To start the game, it looked like the Braves’ offense was going to quiet yet again for another Schwellenbach start this spring. Keller was able to sit down all three hitters he faced, including Austin Riley and Matt Olson striking out.
After Keller was removed and was replaced for the start of the second, the Braves were able to get to the former Astros closer Ryan Pressly. After Ozuna flied out, Michael Harris got the offense going with a single. Ozzie Albies then put runners on the corners with a single of his own. Drake Baldwin then got in on the fun with his own single to make the score 1-0. Jarred Kelenic was then able to plate one more run with grounder that could only be a force out to second, making the score 2-0. Orlando Arcia then lined out to right to end it.
In the third inning, the Braves did not slow down. Now facing Porter Hodge, who had a 1.88 ERA over 43.0 innings last season, Jurickson Profar hit another single which was then followed by Austin Riley being hit by a pitch. Yes, Austin Riley got hit yet again. Olson then moved the runners on a groundout followed by an Ozuna single to score a run. Harris flied out, but then Riley scored on a wild pitch to plate the fourth run of the game for the Braves. Albies then struck out to end the top of the third.
Not much happened in the fourth, but Drake Baldwin showed his plate discipline and drew another walk. The fifth inning is where things started to get crazy for the Braves. Ryan Brasier was in for the Cubs, and let’s just say he did not help his chances for staying on the roster.
Austin Riley was the first hitter up in the fifth and hit one on a line that resulted in a double. Matt Olson then hit a no doubter over the right field wall.
Marcell Ozuna followed right behind him with a shot of his own into the grass over the center field wall.
Brasier got a small break when Harris hit a flyout, but then Ozzie Albies followed up with the third HR of the inning to make the score 8-2.
Ryan Brasier was then pulled from the game and the Braves scored two more with walks to Kelenic, Arcia, and Profar followed by a single from Cal Conley who replaced Austin Riley. The top of the inning ended with the Braves up 10-2.
With the Braves up big, the substitutions came in during the bottom of the fifth defensively and top of the sixth offensively leaving only two starters in and the Braves were still able to boost their lead to 11-2 before their half of the sixth was over.
Before the game was over, Drake Baldwin (who played the whole game) and the Braves’ substitutes did not pull back on the gas. They ended up scoring two more to make the final score 13-4.
How was the pitching?
On the pitching side of things, Schwellenbach had arguably his worst outing of the spring. Previous to this start he had twenty-six strikeouts to only two walks in 18.2 innings.
Today, Schwellenbach went 2.1 innings. He surrendered three hits, one walk, and two strikeouts. He gave up two earned runs off of a Gage Workman HR with Carson Kelly on base. It was only a matter of time for Schwellenbach to come back to earth a little bit. Hopefully this will help keep him focused for the start of the season.
Once Schwellenbach was pulled in the third, Dylan Lee, Enyel De Los Santos, and Héctor Neris combined for 2.2 innings with two hits, zero walks, two strikeouts, and zero earned runs.
Pierce Johnson came in for the sixth and struggled. He struck out his first batter but then he had a walk followed by a single and then a double to allow two earned runs. He then settled in and finished out the inning. Aaron Bummer came in during the seventh, and hit the first two hitters he faced, but was able to settle down and retire the next three hitters.
Daysbel Hernández gave up a single and a walk in the eighth. Raisel Iglesias was able to get some work in by coming in the ninth, and with little surprise, he dominated. He struck out the first two batter faced and then ended it with a groundout.
In Summary
Spencer Schwellenbach came back down to earth today by giving up a two-run HR, but his stuff was still there. If he was going to have a poor outing by his standards, today was the day to do it. He was able to add two more strikeouts to his impressive spring training total and looks to end with twenty-eight.
Pierce Johnson, Aaron Bummer, and Daysbel Hernández all looked shaky. This is obviously not a good sign since they will be counted on heavily this season.
The lineup put on a show today with an outburst in the fifth inning that included three HRs. This is a great sign considering it looks to be a lineup that will be very similar to the one we see on opening day.
Drake Baldwin continued to look ready with two hits and a walk.
The Braves’ next game is tomorrow (Tuesday) again at 4:05 Easter against the Cubs.
