Orlando Arcia’s early departure following a 96-mph fastball struck to the hand or wrist area was the main story of the split-squad matches. It is said that his x-rays came back negative; therefore, we shall monitor this.
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With Reynaldo Lopez on the mound and the majority of their regulars in the lineup, the Braves took on Brayan Bello and the Red Sox in North Port. Atlanta, in the meantime, was playing a Baltimore team in Florida that included several regulars in addition to Spencer Strider in the starting lineup.
Reynaldo allowed solo home runs in the second and fourth innings in North Port. Given that he has surrendered home runs at a rather high rate in his little spring sample, this is something to watch out for.
Lopez’s velocity was in the mid-90s following a minor decline in his previous outing, which is encouraging. With the exception of the two home runs, Reynaldo had a really good effort overall, pitching 5.0 innings of 2-run ball with 4 strikeouts and 1 walk.
After coming out of the pen, Aaron Bummer gave up a hit and a walk to score one run in his opening inning, but that was it. Before giving way to Joe Jimenez, who struck out two, he pitched a second inning, gave up a leadoff walk, and struck out a man.
With a pitch count in the low nineties, Tyler Matzek recorded the eighth and struck out the side. He also came out for the ninth and had a perfect inning, striking out one more. This bodes very well for Tyler’s post-injury recovery.
From the offensive side at North Port, Ronald Acuna got a leadoff walk and had a decent plate appearance, but Bello, who was pitching well, struck out.
After doubling to start the fourth, Albies came around to score on a single by Michael Harris and a double play on a ground ball by Matt Olson.
Ronald ended the sixth inning with a terrific, beautiful sliding catch that bodes well for his health. In the sixth, Ronald blasted a single, and as the regulars started to get replaced, another double by Ozzie allowed his pinch-runner to cross home plate.
After a wild pitch tied the game, Jarred Kelenic ended the inning and his springtime agony by striking out on a questionable checked swing call. 96-mph fastball that struck Orlando Arcia in the hand or wrist caused him to leave the game in the sixth inning.
Orlando’s x-rays, according to Snitker, came back negative, according to Justin Toscano of the AJC.
In the end, Boston was tied 3-3 by the Braves.
Austin Riley launched a first-inning home run against the Orioles. Though Strider walked three, he often cruised. Despite the walks, Spencer’s overall line was 4.2 innings pitched, 2 H, 3 BB, and 7 K; he was pulled for the final out of the fourth inning but came back in for the fifth. This is a solid outing.
Despite not having the best spring, Dylan Lee managed to get the sixth and strike out the side in a promising move.
In the seventh inning, a small-ball run by the Braves’ substitutes doubled their lead. After recording a strikeout and giving up a single and a home run to level the game at two, Lee fought back with a lineout and another strikeout to keep the score close. Lee also recorded the seventh inning.
In the eighth, Hayden Harris gave up the lead to Baltimore after giving up back-to-back doubles to Jackson Holliday and Gunnar Henderson. The Orioles’ lead was increased to 5-2 after a double and another walk.
After Harris was replaced by full-time pitcher Charlie Culberson, the latter promptly gave up a two-run home run, a walk, and an RBI double before obtaining a fortunate flyout to close the inning with an 8-2 score. The game was ended quietly in the top of the ninth inning by the Braves farmhands.