In what turned out to be one of the wackiest Braves games of the season, Atlanta stormed back from a six-run deficit to beat the Chicago White Sox with seven unanswered runs, 11-10.
There were plenty of offensive fireworks early and often on Tuesday. Michael Harris and Jurickson Profar both homered again, and after the Braves went down 10-4 as Bryce Elder imploded, they rallied all the way back.
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In the bottom of the eighth, the Braves loaded the bases with no outs. In what was one of the more shocking things I’ve seen all season, Michael Harris inexplicably tried to bunt. The ball went right back to the pitcher and was flipped to the catcher for the first out of the inning. It was the worst on-field decision of the season since Eli White u-turned on the bases in late May. Then, Marcell Ozuna popped up a breaking ball in foul territory for the second out to really take the air out of the ballpark.
It looked like the Braves were going to waste a golden opportunity, but, thankfully, rookie Drake Baldwin roped a ball to right field that dropped just before an outstretched glove to score two runs and give the Braves the lead.
Raisel Iglesias entered in the top of the ninth and locked down the save. To atone for his bunt mistake, Harris made a ridiculous diving grab in center field for the 27th out.
Bryce Elder was terrible once again, raising his ERA to 6.23 on the season. I’m not sure how much longer the Braves can realistically keep sending him out there; I guess they might value the rubber arm and innings more than the actual performance.
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The series wraps up Wednesday evening with Hurtston Waldrep set to make another start. He will be opposed by veteran lefty Martin Perez, who has seemingly been pitching in the majors since the 1970s. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.