Takeaways: Braves beat the Nationals 5-3 and set two more records
The Braves beat the Nationals 5-3 tonight to improve to 104-57 on the season. Spencer Strider got his 20thwin of the season. This is now back-to-back seasons the Braves have a 20-game winner, with Kyle Wright winning 21 games last season. This is the first time the Braves have had back-to-back 20 game winners since 1998.
Another Night, Another Braves Record
Spencer Strider struck out the side in the top of the first inning, collecting strikeouts numbers 275, 276, and 277 this season. Strider now has the all-time Braves record for strikeouts in a single season. He surpassed John Smoltz's record of 276 strikeouts from the 1996 season when Smoltz won the Cy Young award.
Even though he struck out the side, Strider struggled in the first inning. He gave up three runs on four hits with one walk, visibly frustrated as he walked off the mound. He settled in during the second inning and looked good for the remainder of the game he pitched.
Strider finished the night with seven strikeouts and three walks, giving up six hits and three runs in five innings. He will end the 2023 regular season with 281 strikeouts.
Same Night, Another Braves Record, Again
Ronald Acuña Jr. keeps doing extraordinary things. Tonight, he stole his 73rd base of the season, surpassing Otis Nixon for the all-time Braves stolen base record in a single season. Nixon held the stolen base record of 72 since 1991.
Acuña now has 73 stolen bases and 41 home runs on the season. His batting average is .336, with an OPS of 1.009. There is no question at this point that RAJ is the clear MVP of the National League.
Another Record Tomorrow?
As a team, the Braves now have 305 home runs this season. They are two home runs short of the all-time MLB record of 307 set by the Minnesota Twins in 2019. The Braves play their final regular season game tomorrow as they conclude the series with the Nationals, with first pitch scheduled for 3:10 PM ET
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