ATLANTA – After his team’s 7-6 win and 10 innings against the Nationals at Truist Park on Thursday night, Braves manager Brian Snitker was asked if he had found a way to better define a game like this one, during which the teams repeatedly change punches during the final innings.
“It was distressing and exhausting,” Snitker said. “I am just happy to be here. They fought their backs tonight in this match with adversity. That was something. “
Game Pederson ended the madness when he tied a single on the left field in front of Wander Suero in the 10th. The second final RBI of Pederson’s career ended in a battle during which the division’s two rivals shifted three times to the top of the last six innings.
With a defeat, the Braves would have lost this three-game series against the Nationals. But in their 14th win of the season against Washington, they advanced 3 1/2 games ahead of second-placed Phillies in the National League East.
As the club opts for a fourth consecutive division title, it is worth noting that at this very point last year, with 23 games left, Braves’ leadership in the Eastern League of the Northern League was just two games. .
“It’s a big team win,” Pederson said. “It shows the kind of group we have, to be able to come from behind after getting a little bit of a face and then get up and do some races. That’s huge. That’s what wins the games in October.”
Here are the five key moments of this thriller:
1) Pederson Game Winner: After the Braves ’bullring allowed a single run in each of the final four entries of regulation, Jacob Webb passed the 10th unscathed. Suero loaded the bases hitting Austin Riley on the ninth throw of his plate appearance and then hit Adam Duvall. But Pederson delivered a high cut to the left field for the two-point shot that led to him being docked around second base.
“There’s a guy who’s been in these big situations and on the big stage his whole career,” Snitker said. “I don’t think any situation will ever overwhelm him.”
For Pederson, the decisive single served as retribution for his inability to secure Lane Thomas ’triple-lead that caused the Nationals to account for a run closer to Will Smith in the ninth. The off-field veteran Braves had the ball in his glove briefly, but fell when his jump carried him to the field wall.
“It’s unfortunate that they took advantage of it and scored,” Pederson said. “Luckily we won the game. But it has to be a way out. “
2) Homers of eighth entrance: After Luis Garcia took a national lead with his eighth solo return against Rich Rodriguez, Freddie Freeman and Adam Duvall reached the first two halves in the bottom half of Mason Thompson’s start.
Freeman’s equalizer gave him 29 homers and Duvall set a new maximum 34-yard run with his forward shot. Duvall, who has achieved extra-base success in seven straight games, marked that mark on the one-year anniversary of his 29-9 victory over the Marlins. He remains the only player in Braves history to have played two three-rush games.
3) Work of Matzek: It was a tough night for the Braves downloaders, as AJ Minter allowed a run in the sixth and Luke Jackson gave up a run in the seventh. But Tyler Matzek avoided more damage in the seventh when he produced one of the best defensive plays you’ll see from a pitcher.
With the runners in second and third and one out in the seventh, the Braves intentionally walked with Juan Soto and then asked Matzek to face Josh Bell. Bell responded with a sharp comeback that touched the left reliever’s foot and bounced off the plate.
Matzek reached for the ball, grabbed it with his left hand and threw it towards the plate as he fell face down first on the grass. Throwing at receiver Travis d’Arnaud narrowly won a sliding Thomas on the plate and kept the match level.
“It was good in this situation that Matzek kept his wits about him and took the game,” Snitker said. “It’s a huge play, obviously.”
4) Vogt Roller Coaster: Everything seemed to be going very well for Stephen Vogt, who entertained the Braves by making his famous imitation of referee at the club before the game. The veteran backup receiver then produced his fourth career multi-homer game and first since June 30, 2017. He entered the day without extra-base success at the 74 bats he had counted since the Braves on they acquired from the D- back.
But Vogt’s good day ended rudely when he felt something come out of his hip as he tried to throw at third base in the seventh inning. They will continue to evaluate him, but it looks like the brave will have to bring William Contreras back to serve as Arnaud’s backup.
5) Power of Soler: Jorge Soler tried a strong offside shot from nationals starter Erick Fedde in sixth place. Soler has hit .286 with 10 homers and a .926 OPS in the 35 games he has played since being acquired by the Royals. He had added 13 homers in 94 games in Kansas City.