Braves' Seventh Inning Surge Secures Victory Over Cubs at Wrigley Field
The Atlanta Braves improved their record to 28-18 with a decisive 9-2 win over the Chicago Cubs, who now stand at 27-23. The game, held at Wrigley Field, saw the Braves dominate both offensively and defensively.
The first two innings were quiet for both teams, with neither side managing to score. However, the third inning marked a turning point for Atlanta. The Braves collected three hits and scored two runs in this inning alone. This early lead set the tone for what would be a commanding performance.
The middle innings saw little action from either team until the sixth inning when Chicago managed to get on the board with one run off one hit. Despite this effort, it was not enough to shift momentum away from Atlanta.
The seventh inning proved pivotal as the Braves exploded offensively. They recorded four hits and scored six runs in this single frame, effectively putting the game out of reach for Chicago. This offensive surge was complemented by solid pitching from Max Fried, who allowed only three hits over nine innings while striking out nine batters.
In contrast, Justin Steele of the Cubs struggled on the mound and took his second loss of the season. He gave up multiple runs during Atlanta's big seventh inning and failed to contain their hitters throughout his time on the mound.
Atlanta's fielding was also noteworthy; they committed just one error compared to Chicago's single error but maintained a higher fielding percentage overall at .974 percent compared to .971 percent for Chicago.
Chicago attempted a late-game rally in the eighth inning by scoring another run off two hits but ultimately fell short as they couldn't overcome Atlanta’s substantial lead.
Key players for Atlanta included those who contributed significantly during that crucial seventh inning surge which sealed their victory against Chicago’s bullpen efforts that faltered under pressure.
Looking ahead, fans can catch more action as these teams face off again soon. The next game is scheduled for May 23rd at Wrigley Field in Chicago starting at 6:20 PM local time (7:20 PM Eastern). Fans can watch live coverage on BSSO network.