Michael Harris II spikes up offense as Braves take their ninth straight win over Nationals

A lot to cover, but let’s start with the good news.

The Braves have clinched their ninth win in a row…a great run, yet, unfortunately, timing is off after missing playoff contention for the first time since 2017.

The win wasn’t exactly pretty, as you could see by the updates , Ozzie Albies fractured the hamate bone in his left hand after fouling off a pitch in the third inning. Nick Allen was able to swoop in and take his place at second, however, Albies will be getting further testing immediately, but isn’t likely to return for the remainder of the season, which will include five more games.

Before we get to the position players and the outstanding offense, let’s look at pitching.

Chris sale gave up four earned runs through five innings, three hit-by-pitches and 80 total pitches.

Not the best performance for the former Cy Young winner, luckily the offense was able to back him up.

Ronald Acuña Jr. started it off with a homer in the first inning, tying the scoreboard with Washington (1-1).

From then on, the offense decided to keep it going as Michael Harris II came up with a RBI double in the second to bring Ha-Seong Kim in. Both of the two showed elite level performances throughout the night, including on defense.

Drake Baldwin showed up as usual in the third and delivered an RBI single to bring Acuña and Albies in for their runs (4-1). Marcell Ozuna also hit an RBI single right after to bring Kim in for a four-run lead.

Harris followed behind with, yet, another RBI single, a walk from Ozuna later (still in the third inning) extended the lead by six (7-1) right before the injury delay with Albies. Harris would also go on to collect a total of three stolen bases throughout the game.

Six pitching switches later, the Nationals would later go on to score four more runs in the game, but was held there as the bat-happy Braves kept the party going in the homestand, with a solid defense to match it to secure the win (11-5).

Although Matt Olson has been having the hottest bat on the team through this run, tonight was when the break hit as he went o-for-6 in his plate appearances for the night. Not the best outlook, however, due to his recent performances, and the overall outcome of tonight’s results…the blow doesn’t hit as hard.

Now, knock on wood, but can the Braves make it a perfect 10?