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Takeaways: The Braves go down in game one of the series against the Diamondbacks

Originally posted on FanNation Braves Today
By Dan Strickland | Last updated 7/18/23

Tonight was a wild game. The Diamondbacks walked away with a victory that could have easily gone to the Braves. The final score was 16-13 in favor of the snakes.

The Braves made three costly errors that led to three of the sixteen runs for the Diamondbacks being unearned. Those runs made the difference in the game.

Tonight was the most runs the Braves have given up in a game since 2017, and the first time they have lost three straight games this season since May.

Austin Riley Had a Great Game

Tonight’s loss was not Austin Riley’s fault. He put on quite the show for the fans this evening.

Riley went three for five with two home runs and seven RBIs. He also made a great defensive play in the eighth inning to gun down the speedy Corbin Carroll at home plate.

Only three #Braves have had more RBI in a single game than the seven Austin Riley has produced tonight:

Adam Duvall: 9 (9/9/2020)
Tony Cloninger: 9 (7/3/1966)
Joe Adcock: 8 (7/19/1956) pic.twitter.com/UxZNkwQ0n3
— Cory McCartney (@coryjmccartney) July 19, 2023

A Rough Night for Pitchers

It was not a good night to be a pitcher in this game. The Braves and Diamondbacks combined for 29 runs and 27 hits.

The two starters were both hammered early in the game, and it did not fare much better for the relievers.

Bryce Elder started the game for the Braves, but only went 2.2 innings giving up seven runs, five of them earned. Elder was absolutely dominant in the first half of the season, making the All Star team for the National League.

Over his last two starts, dating back to the final game against Tampa Bay before the All-Star Break, Elder has thrown six innings with 13H, 14 R (12 ER), with five walks and four strikeouts. His season ERA went from 2.45 to 3.31 after just these two starts.

What's next for the Atlanta Braves?

Game two of the series is on Wednesday evening, with Charlie Morton facing off against Arizona's Ryne Nelson. First pitch is set for 7:20 PM ET from Truist Park. The game broadcast, with Voice of the Braves Brandon Gaudin, is available inside Braves Country on Bally Sports South and is available on MLB.TV outside of the broadcast area. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com.

This article first appeared on FanNation Braves Today and was syndicated with permission.

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