9th-inning slip-up mars 'pen's recent success

ATLANTA -- After waiting four months to produce their first winning record of the season, the Braves weren’t expecting to just breeze through the remainder of this season. But they would have preferred to avoid the frustration felt after closer Will Smith surrendered a two-out, ninth-inning homer in a 3-2 loss to the Nationals on Saturday night at Truist Park.

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“It just wasn’t my night tonight,” Smith said. “I obviously want to do my job every time out, but these guys are big league hitters too. They hit pitches sometimes. It’s just the way it goes in the bullpen.”

Recently, hanging onto a one-run lead hasn’t been nearly as stressful for the Braves as it had been through the season’s first three months. Their bullpen steadily improved over the past few weeks, and Smith had surrendered just four hits over seven scoreless innings since the All-Star break.

So, when catcher Stephen Vogt walked toward the mound with two outs and the Braves leading 2-1 in the ninth, there wasn’t much concern. The Nationals’ hope to extend the game rested on the shoulders of Riley Adams, who entered the game with three hits, including two doubles, in 33 career at-bats.

But one inner-third fastball later, Adams had his first career homer, and the Nationals had a lead they wouldn’t squander.

“You’d think if you’re facing a guy for the first time, you’ve got the advantage,” Smith said. “But this guy is a big league hitter, and he’s here for a reason. He put a good swing on a good pitch. We executed our plan, and he just got me tonight. It is what it is.”

With Smith enduring just his third blown save in 25 opportunities and allowing his fifth homer of the season, the Braves were unable to claim a fifth straight win for the first time this season. A victory would have also moved them into sole possession of second place and a game behind the first-place Phillies, who have leapfrogged the Mets in the National League East.

The stage was set for the Braves to extend their winning ways. Jorge Soler homered in the first inning, and Charlie Morton ended his six scoreless innings by escaping a bases-loaded threat. But the Nationals, who parted ways with many of their top players at the Trade Deadline, showed why baseball remains so unpredictable.

“We’re a really good team,” Morton said. “I just don’t look at who else is across the field and say, ‘We have to beat these guys, because if we don’t beat these guys, then we have no chance.’”

While Adams delivered the big blow, much of the credit for the Nationals’ victory has to be given to Josiah Gray, who allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while recording 10 strikeouts over five innings. This was just the third career start for the young hurler.

“I really liked that arm, man,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He's a good looking pitcher. His ability to spin the ball, and with that live arm, he's gonna be a good one."

Soler’s homer and Ozzie Albies’ RBI single in the third provided some early cushion for Morton. The Braves weren’t able to do any further damage against Gray or the Nationals’ relief corps, which owns the NL’s fourth-worst bullpen ERA (4.72). Atlanta’s scoring woes were exacerbated by Freddie Freeman exiting after the first inning with an upper respiratory infection.

Still, it appeared that the Braves were in good shape as the suddenly revitalized Tyler Matzek delivered a 10th consecutive scoreless appearance. Luke Jackson followed Matzek’s scoreless seventh with a scoreless eighth. This set the stage for Smith, who entered Saturday having posted a 0.95 ERA over his past 19 appearances.

But just when it looked like the Braves were going to take another step toward prosperity, they were reminded that they are playing a game that seemingly takes pride in being cruel from time to time.

“We’ve been playing better,” Smith said. “It looks like the old Braves of last year, with big hits and [pitchers] putting up zeros. It just didn’t go our way tonight.”