The Atlanta Braves will be looking to win four straight road games for the first time in 68 years when they close out their season series against the National League playoff contenders, the San Francisco Giants, on Thursday afternoon.
As of Monday’s game, the Braves were just 1.5 games back and had lost seven of eight entering this deciding series, while the Giants had won four of five and were in the running to clinch the National League wild card spot.
But Travis d’Arnaud’s extra-inning RBI singles on Monday and Tuesday and Michael Harris II’s grand slam in the bottom of the first inning on Wednesday helped Atlanta win three straight games against San Francisco.
The last time the Braves beat the Giants in a four-game road series, the visiting team was representing Milwaukee and the game was played over three days (including a doubleheader) in New York in June 1956. That was a long time ago, and Hank Aaron was the Braves’ right fielder and Willie Mays was the Giants’ center fielder.
Harris had a career-high five RBIs in the Braves’ 13-2 win on Wednesday and hit his first career grand slam off McCorvey Cove in his first game since June 14 after the pitcher was sidelined with a hamstring injury.
“It feels like the first day of school,” Harris said. “It feels like I haven’t seen them in a while. It’s just nice to be back.”
The same night Harris returned, Braves left fielder Jorge Soler, who started the season with the Giants, left the game in the fourth inning with a tight hamstring. Soler will sit out Thursday and undergo an MRI.
Jarred Kelenic replaced Soler on Wednesday and hit a two-run double to help secure the win.
The left-handed hitter is expected to start Thursday against Logan Webb (10-8, 3.32 ERA). The Giants right-hander has been excellent, going 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA in his past three starts. The Giants have won those games 1-0, 4-1 and 3-1.
Webb held the Braves to just two runs in seven innings in a 4-2 win at Atlanta on July 4. The 27-year-old Webb is 3-1 with a 2.98 ERA in seven starts against the Braves.
Kelenic was 1-for-4 in Webb’s start last month and scored one of Atlanta’s two runs.
Giants manager Bob Melvin remains confident in his team despite its winning percentage falling below .500 for the first time since Aug. 6.
“This team knows how to bounce back,” he said after Wednesday’s lopsided loss. “I don’t want to say we have a must-play game, but we need to get back up to 50% (Thursday) and then rest and bounce back.”
To make that happen, the Giants may have to do something they’ve never done before: beat Braves left-hander Max Fried (7-6, 3.56 ERA).
The 30-year-old did not pitch in the Giants’ two-of-three win over Atlanta last month and is 4-0 with a 2.40 ERA in eight meetings against San Francisco, including seven starts.
Fried has been ineffective in two starts since returning from the disabled list after recovering from neuritis in his left forearm, giving up 10 runs (nine earned) and walking eight in just 8 1/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
