Takeaways: Braves take game one in the Royals series
The Braves beat the Royals in game one of the series, 10-3. Charlie Morton got the win behind the support of five home runs from the offense.
Scoring Runs Early and Often
The Braves came out swinging early in Kansas City, jumping out to a 4-0 lead over the Royals in the top of the first inning. Ronald Acuña continues to do amazing things at the top of the order. He singled to begin the game. Matt Olson followed with a home run, and the Braves were quickly up 2-0. Austin Riley followed with a solo home run to put the Braves up 3-0. Vaughn Grissom had an RBI double in his first game back with the big-league club in 2023. The Braves sent eight batters to the plate in an exciting top of the first inning.
The Braves hit five home runs tonight, which is the most in one game so far this season. Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Sam Hilliard, Sean Murphy, and Ronald Acuña all went deep tonight.
Vaughn Grissom did Enough
Vaughn Grissom started the night out strong with his RBI double to right field. It was an excellent way for Grissom to begin his time with the Braves in 2023. Last year he proved he could handle himself at the plate. He hit well in spring training, and his numbers in AAA were solid to begin this season.
The question the Braves have had all offseason was regarding his defense and if he was ready to be the everyday guy at the Major League level. His defense was not bad tonight, but there were several plays he did not make that Arcia has been making all year. Hopefully, he will be able to settle into the role and play solid defense until Arcia is able to return from the IL.
Not everybody is sold on his defensive work with Ron Washington.
Six Years of Truist Park
Today marked the six-year anniversary of the first-ever game at Truist Park, the new home of the Braves. The stadium opened as SunTrust Park, but the name was changed after SunTrust merged with BB&T to form Truist Bank.
Truist Park has been really good for the Braves. The team has won five straight division titles, an NLCS, and a World Series title since making Truist Park their home. The fan experience created by the Battery is as good as anywhere else in baseball. The fan support and revenue generated by the Battery and Truist Park have given the Braves the financial strength to build a winning team with a bright future. According to FanGraphs, the Braves have the eighth-highest payroll in baseball at $203M.
Game two of the series is Saturday, Jackie Robinson Day, with a 4:10 ET first pitch. The game broadcast, with Voice of the Braves Brandon Gaudin, is available inside Braves Country on Bally Sports South and is available on MLB.TV outside of the broadcast area. 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.
More stories from the Royals series
WATCH: Sam Hilliard can do EVERYTHING
WATCH: Brian Snitker tossed in the top of the second inning
WATCH: Matt Olson and Austin Riley hit back to back homeruns to open the game
Lineup, how to watch game one of the Braves series vs the Kansas City Royals
Atlanta Braves officially call up Vaughn Grissom
Podcast: The Atlanta Braves have to move on from Marcell Ozuna
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