Game Recap 4/26/24 | Guardians Lose to the Braves 6-2

Post-Game Recap

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3 Things Around The Game

1 – Leadoff HR 

Steven Kwan had a great leadoff at-bat that ended on the seventh pitch, landing in the right field seats for a home run!

2 – Guards silent

After a Gabriel Arias single in the top of the 2nd inning, the Guardians did not get another base runner until the 9th inning with a Tyler Freeman double. 

3 – Lefty Logan

Logan Allen was doing well through the first three innings and then struggled in the 4th inning, giving up a leadoff walk and hit by a pitch that was followed by an error by David Fry for interference on a pickoff move that moved the runners to second and third.  

The very next pitch was hit into center, scoring both runners. This gave the Braves a 2-1 lead, and they never looked back.

Allen pitched 4 2/3 innings, giving up four earned while striking out five. 

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Game Summary

In the opening game of a series featuring Major League Baseball’s top two teams, Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves shrugged off a home run on the seventh pitch of the game. Marcell Ozuna continued his impressive performance with two more RBIs, propelling the Braves to a 6-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night.

The Braves, reigning NL East champions, extended their hot streak, winning for the 10th time in 11 games to reach an 18-6 record, edging past the AL-leading Guardians, who now stand at 18-8.

Sale (3-1) started off by giving up a homer to Steven Kwan, the first batter he faced. Kwan’s 389-foot hit down the right-field line landed in the Chop House restaurant, marking the third leadoff homer of his career. However, Sale settled in and allowed just one more hit over seven innings, maintaining his dominance for the third consecutive start. He issued one walk, struck out six, and threw 67 of his 95 pitches for strikes.

Ozuna quickly turned the tide in the fourth inning with a double to left field off Logan Allen (3-1), bringing home Austin Riley and Matt Olson. Both Riley and Olson reached base without recording a hit; Riley walked, and Olson was hit by a pitch.

Ozuna’s performance brought his season RBI total to 31, leading the majors and setting a new record for Braves players before May. He surpassed the previous mark held by Dale Murphy (29 in 1985) and Hall of Famer Chipper Jones (29 in 1998).

Following Ozuna’s double, Michael Harris II added to the Braves’ lead with a blooper to center field, scoring Ozuna. Olson contributed with a run-scoring single in the fifth inning, chasing Allen from the game after he conceded four runs in 4 2/3 innings. Orlando Arcia added to the Braves’ lead with a homer in the eighth inning off Pedro Avila.

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TRAINER’S ROOM

James Karinchak (shoulder) joined the team for the road trip, giving him a chance to work with the big league training staff as he prepares for a rehab assignment. … Gavin Williams (elbow) will be shut down at least through the middle of next week after getting an injection that the team hopes will alleviate his issues. … Sam Hentges (middle finger inflammation) is nearing a return after throwing a pair of scoreless innings during his minor league rehab assignment.

UP NEXT

.Charlie Morton (2-0, 4.70) gets the nod for Atlanta in the second game of the series Saturday night. He’ll be opposed by Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (2-0, 4.44).