Braves' rain-soaked homestand marred by mistakes, injuries

ATLANTA -- It was a homestand that the Braves will likely want to wipe from their memories.

After returning from the All-Star break, Atlanta played five games over six days at Truist Park, and in that time, the team lost second baseman Ozzie Albies (fractured left wrist) and starting pitcher Max Fried (left forearm neuritis) -- and both series.

The Braves came back from the break and dropped two of three against the Cardinals before the Reds came to town and won both games of a rain-shortened series, including Wednesday afternoon's 9-4 decision.

Atlanta and Cincinnati were supposed to play three games, but the third was postponed due to forecasted inclement weather. A makeup date was set for Sept. 9.

The Braves gave up seven home runs in their weekend series loss to the Cards -- one that was further spoiled by the injuries to Albies and Fried. Albies broke his wrist in the series finale and Fried did not throw a pitch over the weekend after he was diagnosed with a nerve injury last Thursday.

Cincinnati starting pitcher Hunter Greene dominated the Braves in Game 1 of Atlanta’s series against the Reds on Monday. He gave up just two hits and struck out seven over seven scoreless innings in the Braves' 4-1 loss.

The Reds clinched the series on Wednesday when they scored nine runs in the first four innings. Atlanta answered with four runs over the first three frames, but the Braves were blanked the rest of the game.

Braves starter Allan Winans was hit hard. He allowed seven runs on six hits over 2 2/3 innings.

The game started with an ugly four-run first that featured a Little League home run by Spencer Steer. The first baseman’s RBI knock got past a diving Adam Duvall in right field, which initially allowed Steer to reach third base. An errant Zack Short relay throw in the infield then allowed Steer to race home from third.

Left fielder Jake Fraley subsequently hit a two-run home run and the Reds had a 4-0 lead before the Braves saw a pitch.

“A couple of pitches, a play here or there, and it’s probably a different story and [Winans] gets settled in and maybe covers more of the game,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

Atlanta tallied 10 hits for the first time since the club accumulated 11 hits in a 6-2 win over the D-backs on July 9.

But the Braves also left 11 runners on base and were 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. They had a four-hit third inning and scored just one run.

Perhaps the Braves’ best scoring opportunity after the early innings came in the bottom of the fifth when Cincinnati starter Frankie Montas walked the bases loaded with one out and the top of the order due up.

Montas gave way to Sam Moll, who struck out outfielder Jarred Kelenic and third baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr. to end the frame.

“I just kind of felt that, once we cut [the lead] to four, I’m like, ‘Well, we have a lot of at-bats left to trim,’” Snitker said. “It’s always hard fighting from behind.”

It was the first game the Braves played after they had a players-only meeting in the clubhouse prior to Tuesday’s postponed game.

“I’m just going to keep [the meeting] in the clubhouse,” first baseman Matt Olson said. “There’s times throughout the year where guys get together and talk, whether it be a couple guys in the corner or during the hitters’ meeting or we set a time when the guys talk. I’m just going to leave it in-house.”

On a positive note, Olson snapped his 0-for-16 skid with a single in the bottom of the third on his way to a 2-for-5 day.

“It’s always good to see some results,” Olson said. “I’ve been grinding a little bit, personally. It’s nice to feel like you’re on the right path. Consistently I’m feeling better at the plate. I’m hoping to get on the right track.”

Alvarez collected his first career hit with a first-inning single. He also struck out three times and finished 1-for-5.

“[There will] be an adjustment period,” Snitker said of Alvarez facing big league pitchers. “He hasn’t seen this kind of stuff yet.”