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    Takeaways: Atlanta Braves complete comeback vs the Texas Rangers, win series

    The Atlanta Braves found momentum late Wednesday night in the rubber match against the Texas Rangers

    After getting swept in Toronto, the Atlanta Braves looked to Spencer Strider to give them a chance to win the rubber match of the series against the Texas Rangers. A go-ahead home run from Orlando Arcia, one of three Braves homers in the contest, gave Atlanta a 6-5 win in the series finale.

    Spencer Strider has season-low strikeouts

    May 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

    The impressive young Braves pitcher has had eight strikeouts or more in every outing he's had in 2023 until tonight, with a season-low seven strikeouts after 5.0 innings of work that also included his only time allowing more than one home run in a game during his time in the majors. Strider struggled to land the slider for strikes, throwing only nineteen of them and landing only seven for strikes. Not having the slider forced him to go to the changeup a lot more than usual, throwing a season-high eleven.

    While Atlanta waits for the return of other starting pitchers Max Fried and Kyle Wright, more pressure will but put on Strider to carry the pitching staff and help accumulate wins from the mound. There's a solid chance that it wasn't his night but with back-to-back losses for Strider, it's worth monitoring. 

    Ronald Acuña Jr. is playing elite baseball

    May 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) is greeted in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

    The Braves outfielder has now hit a home run in four straight games and is the bright spot of the six-game road trip.

    Looking at Acuña's last nine home runs, they've all been smashed over 420 feet. Ronald's got eleven bombs on the season, to go with eighteen stolen bases, and is on pace for an unprecedented 41 homerun / 64 stolen base season.

    Raisel Iglesias closed it out

    Sep 25, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

    Much has been made of Atlanta's relief pitching this season. We saw a different story on Wednesday. Nick Anderson picked up the win in his one inning of solid work and set the table for Iglesias to finish things out, with both pitchers combining for two innings of scoreless, hitless ball with one walk and two strikeouts to seal the Atlanta victory. 

    A well-timed RBI double from Austin Riley in the eighth and a dinger from Arcia in the ninth helped everyone's stats Wednesday night.

    Michael Harris got it done on defense

    May 2, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) reacts after doubling against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park.

    Michael Harris hasn't been what Braves fans were accustomed to at the plate last season but he had two defensive plays that kept Atlanta in it Wednesday night.

    In the third, the biggest inning for the Rangers, Harris threw a dart from center to home to assist in the Travis d'Arnaud tag at home of Ezequiel Duran.

    In the seventh, Harris stole a deep shot from Corey Seager that would've been an extra-base hit, getting a great jump and stretching up to snag the ball before it went over his head as he approached the warning track. 

    What's next for the Atlanta Braves?

    May 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) hugs shortstop Orlando Arcia (11) in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

    The Atlanta Braves get a Thursday off and then host the Seattle Mariners in a three-game series starting Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 ET. The game broadcast is another Apple TV+ exclusive. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com, as well as within Apple TV+. 

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