Braves Bash Their Way to Big Win Over Cubs in 9-2 Affair

The Chicago Cubs were coming off an exhilarating win on Tuesday night to the tune of a Nico Hoerner walk-off hit. Entering Wednesday's game with ace Justin Steele on the bump, the Cubs had a real chance of capturing a series win over the Atlanta Braves. 

Tale of the Tape

Things started off well for both sides. Through the first two innings, both Justin Steele and Max Fried were dealing for their respective sides. The first hit of the game for either side didn't occur until the third inning. 

In the top of the third though, the Braves struck. Following a Michael Harris II single to lead off the inning, Adam Duvall took a 92 mph fastball left up and over the middle of the plate out to the left-field bleachers for a two-run shot. The home run was the only mistake Steele made through the first six innings of his start. 

The Cubs responded and cut the lead in half, but that wasn't until the sixth inning. Ian Happ doubled, and advanced to third on Nick Madrigal groundout. Miguel Amaya also grounded out, but scored Happ from third by putting the ball in play to make it a 2-1 game. 

From there, the wheels fell off. With Steele returning to the mound for the seventh inning, the Braves began to add on. Orlando Arcia doubled to begin the inning, and Duvall was hit by a pitch. Arcia scored on a Zack Short single to give Atlanta a 3-1 lead. Following Short's single, Steele was lifted from the game. 

Jose Cuas entered and let the Braves run away with it. Ronald Acuna Jr. walked to load the bases, with Ozzie Albies driving in Duvall on a sacrifice fly in the next plate appearance. Then, Marcell Ozuna took a Cuas slider over the heart of the plate to the bleachers for a three-run shot, making it a 7-1 game. 

The Braves weren't done. Matt Olson's solo shot as the following batter made it an 8-1 game, effectively handing Atlanta the win. The Braves added a run in the top of the eighth on a wild pitch, and the Cubs got one back in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a Max Fried wild pitch following Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ singles. But, it really didn't matter at that point.

One cool note, Porter Hodge made his first MLB appearance and looked fantastic. Touching 96 mph on the corners, Hodge struck out the side by retiring Ozzie Albies, Ozuna, and Olson in the top of the ninth.