(8-10) Atlanta Braves - 10
(8-10) Los Angeles Dodgers - 1
Braves Break Out in Walks:
The Braves may have scored 10 runs in a game for only the second time this season, but that wasn't the most exciting part of the game for the struggling Atlanta offense. The team recorded eight walks.
For a team ranked 13th in the National League in BB% at 7.6%, having eight walks in a game is a pretty solid number. It's made even better when you factor in a combined seven walks in the three previous games.
The Braves may not have managed much off Hiroki Kuroda in the first five innings, but they did put together three walks over the duration of his outing and made him throw 101 pitches. Kuroda has always been a control pitcher, evident by a 0.87 BB/9 through 20.2 previous innings this season. To get him for three walks and 100+ pitches is good news for an offense that has struggled to do either off any pitcher lately.
Martin Prado walked twice, which is probably the best news of all. Brian McCann also walked twice. Only Jason Heyward and Chipper Jones didn't reach base from a walk, which I doubt I will ever type again.
Stat of the Day:
Before the game: 0 hits for Braves pinch hitters...Tonight: 3-3, HR, 3 RBI for Braves pinch hitters
The Game Changer:
Martin Prado's solo homer in the sixth put the Braves ahead 1-0, worth .174 WPA.
WPA Winners:
(ATL) Jonny Venters: .388
(ATL) Brandon Beachy: .353
(ATL) Martin Prado: .210
WPA Losers:
(ATL) Scott Linebrink: -.296
(LAD) Casey Blake: -.225
(LAD) Marcus Thames: -.148
Courtesy of FanGraphs:
