It’s just a running gag at this point.
At least the first rain came.
Sonny Gray came out and needed only 36 pitches to get through 3 innings with 5 strikeouts. The Atlanta Braves were able to get one run across in the top of the third, and it seemed like they might’ve been figuring him out the second time through, though the rain probably had something to do with it. But I can’t say I particularly wanted to find out how today would’ve gone if he been able to just pitch normally.
Davis Daniel was brought up right before the game started, and the team designated him to wear it. And to be honest, he did pretty well by only giving up one run in his four innings of work. He might’ve been able to go longer, but insert a second rain delay.
The rain delays were a bit of a mess. It rained, they said the game was starting again, then it didn’t, then it did, and then it stopped a while later again. It was a mess, but honestly, that’s as good of a metaphor for the first half of the season as we can get.
Steven Matz valiantly took over for Gray, but he wasn’t able to give the full bulk inning support because of the aforementioned rain delays. Gordon Graceffo then came in and destroyed Atlanta hitters.
Jesse Chavez came in for Daniel, and he … got destroyed by Cardinals hitters. He gave up the consequential four runs over two innings, and at this point, I really can’t say why he occupies a spot on the roster.
Wander Suero came in, and well … where has this guy been all season? The journeyman reliever had a swell day, striking out 3 over 2 innings, and that might’ve been a better way to deploy the bullpen than Chavez. But here we are.
Offensively, the top of the ninth was a good example of the day. Atlanta got two on with a Marcell Ozuna walk and a Jurickson Profar single, but a Matt Olson strikeout, Ronald Acuña groundout, and a Sean Murphy groundout finished the game. The Braves left 9 on base in this one, and that mattered a lot. The baserunners were there, but they left a lot out there.
Enjoy the next few nights. Atlanta had the All-Star Game, and it’s great to show off the stadium. We’ll get back at it in a few days.