'Tomorrow’s a new day': Braves' 9-game win streak snapped in extras

CLEVELAND -- As the Braves bid adieu to a nine-game winning streak with their 6-5, 10-inning loss to the Guardians on Tuesday night at Progressive Field, they could take solace in the fact the end of other similar streaks have recently just created a chance to start another.

“Tomorrow’s a new day, a new beginning,” Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies said. “Let’s do it again.”

It looked like the Braves were going to realize a familiar result when Albies capped a two-homer performance by beginning the ninth with a game-tying homer off Cleveland's All-Star closer, Emmanuel Clase. Optimism grew again in the bottom of the 10th, when Gabriel Arias bunted into a double play.

Everything had gone the Braves' way as they entered this game having lost just four times since June arrived. But the inevitable occurred as the double play only added to the excitement that David Fry created when he ended the game by lacing a single off the left-field wall against Raisel Iglesias.

“It was such a great double play,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I just wanted one more crack. We didn’t get it.”

This was just the Braves’ fourth loss in their past 28 games. Within this stretch, they constructed winning streaks of seven, eight and nine games. They have totaled three winnings streaks that have consisted of at least eight games this year. Five other teams have constructed a streak that long, but Atlanta is the only club to do it multiple times.

There were some moments that might bother the Braves until they return to action for Wednesday night’s series finale in Cleveland.

First off, Kirby Yates isn’t going to feel good about allowing the Guardians to take the lead with a two-run seventh.

Secondly, Snitker might wonder about leaving Kolby Allard in to begin the sixth. Allard totaled just 71 pitches through the first five innings, but given he had pitched against opponents just three times since tearing his right oblique during Spring Training.

Sending him out to begin the sixth was a risk, especially with the first batter being Amed Rosario, who had hit a two-run double in the third.

Lastly, third-base coach Ron Washington will always be aggressive, but he might have been too aggressive when he had automatic baserunner Sam Hilliard attempt to score on Eddie Rosario’s fly ball to shallow center in the 10th. Myles Straw’s throw easily beat Hilliard to the plate.

But the day wasn’t all bad for the Braves, who lost for just the second time in an 18-game span going back to June 14. They had reason to feel good about these two developments.

Rotation depth
The Braves might look to add a starter before the Trade Deadline to at least provide insurance during the season’s final two months. But their rotation depth has improved over the past week.

Max Fried threw a second live batting practice session on Tuesday afternoon and could begin a Minor League rehab assignment this weekend. If all goes well, he could be back in the Braves' rotation near the end of July. He’s been sidelined since May 5.

Allard made just two rehab starts before the Braves brought him up to face the Twins last week. His command was more effective in that outing than it was on Tuesday. He threw Rosario a center-cut fastball in the third and then hung a curve against him in the sixth. Still, he was effective enough to think he could join AJ Smith-Shawver and Jared Shuster as capable rotation options during the second half.

Albies’ left-handed power
When Albies had a .544 OPS from the left side of the plate through 161 plate appearances on May 30, some Braves fans were saying he should stop being a switch-hitter.

With Tuesday’s two-homer game, Albies now has 12 homers in his past 98 at-bats from the left side of the plate. That’s one homer every 8.16 at-bats against right-handers.

“You’re never comfortable, but you keep working and good things are happening,” Albies said. “You've just got to know, whatever is clicking, just keep doing it.”