Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Outside observers might feel that Atlanta Braves third baseman Chris Johnson‘s three-run home run in the top of the 10th inning was the key to the team’s 4-1 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday in New York.
I tend to disagree, as I believe that the work of the bullpen, which provided the team with four scoreless innings in relief of starting pitcher Alex Wood, and first baseman Freddie Freeman, who reached via an infield single on a ball that deflected off the glove of Mets reliever Scott Rice, were the biggest factors in the victory.
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The work of Atlanta’s relief corps was highlighted by two innings of hitless ball by Jordan Walden, who struck out four of the six batters he faced, while Freeman’s decision to run out a groundball gave the Braves runners at first and second with two outs, setting up Johnson’s blast and ultimately allowing closer Craig Kimbrel to record his MLB-best 40th save of the season.
And on a day where the Braves lost right fielder and leadoff man Jason Heyward for 4-6 weeks to a broken jaw, it was good for the club to emerge victorious, especially after the Mets defeated them 5-3 on Tuesday.
Thanks to great pitching down the stretch and Freeman’s hustle on what looked like a sure out, the Braves were able to split the brief two-game series with the Mets and once again prove that they can win without bashing the ball out of the park. Prior to Freeman’s infield single and Johnson’s bomb, Atlanta had scored just one run on seven hits through the first nine innings.
Given the abilities of the pitchers they’ll face in the postseason, it’s important for the Braves to continue to learn how to win in different ways, because they won’t always be able to rely on the home run ball come October. They’ve done so at times this year, although winning without long balls represents a lower percentage of the wins for the team with the best record in baseball.
Luckily, they have all the tools to get it done in the playoffs, just as they did on Wednesday.
Josh McKinney is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
