The Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies is safe at home as Washington Nationals catcher Matt Wieters can’t make the tag in time, with home plate umpire Greg Gibson watching, during the seventh inning of Wednesday night’s game in Washington.WASHINGTON – Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz worked his way out of a precarious jam early. A few innings later, rookie teammate Ronald Acuna Jr. lent a high-rising, helping hand at the center-field wall.
Combining clutch pitching, long-ball hitting and Acuna’s deft skill in the outfield, the Braves beat the Washington Nationals 8-3 Wednesday night.
Foltynewicz needed 35 pitches to get out of the first inning. He gave up a double, a single and a walk, and another Washington batter reached on a throwing error – yet the Nationals scored only one unearned run and left the bases loaded.
“I knew if I could limit the damage to even two runs there,” Foltynewicz said, “our offense would get some runs back.”
After that, former Calhoun High School standout Charlie Culberson hit a three-run homer in the second inning off Tommy Milone (1-1), and Tyler Flowers and Acuna added two-run shots in the fourth.