Takeaways: Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II Lead in Win over Giants
The top two National League Rookie of the Year vote-getters from 2022 led the way for the Atlanta Braves on Friday night in a win over the San Francisco Giants.
As the Atlanta Braves kicked off a long Westcoast trip on Friday they got things started off on a good note with a comfortable win.
Starting pitching has really turned things around lately and that continued for Spencer Strider.
Another Great Start from Strider
Seven days after tossing seven shutout innings against the Giants at Truist Park, Spencer Strider put up another dominant start against them Friday night.
His 20-inning scoreless streak did come to an end as he allowed a run in the seventh inning, but it doesn't diminish the 3-hit and 8-strikeout performance.
Taking away that forgetful start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Strider has allowed just 2 runs in his last 4 starts.
His season ERA is now down to 3.46, putting him firmly in the NL Cy Young race with his 1.06 WHOP and league-leading 236 strikeouts.
MH2 Gets the Party Started
After cooling off a bit since moving to the 2-hole in Ozzie Albies' absence, it was Michael Harris II who got the Braves on the board in the first inning this time with a shot into McCovey Cove.
But he wasn't done there picking up a pair of singles in the game as well, another RBI, two more runs, and 2 stolen bases.
One of those runs scored came on a pop-up to the third baseman who caught over the shoulder.
The reigning NL Rookie of the Year is slashing .313/.356/.470 for the month of August.
Acuña to the Rescue
A lot is made about Ronald Acuña Jr.'s defense as some people try to find holes in his game, but he made a catch in Friday's game that saved 2 runs.
With two on and two out in the 3rd inning, Thairo Estrada lined a ball to the right-center gap that was headed for Triples Alley, but Ronald was able to run it down and keep the Giants off the board.
Ronald himself hit a triple in that alley later in the game and scored.
Max Fried takes the mound on Saturday as the Braves try to clinch another series win over the Giants. The game starts at 4:05 PM ET and will be televised nationally on FS1.
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