Takeaways from Atlanta's Friday night loss to the Padres

The Atlanta Braves lost game two of the four game series to San Diego Padres, 5-4, on Friday night inside a sold out Truist Park. What do we need to know from the contest?

The top of the lineup, even on an off night, is still really good

The trio of Ronald Acuña Jr, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley have been electric heading into tonight's matchup.

Even on an "off night", they still delivered.

The trio accounted for only three hits in nine plate appearances, all by Riley, but still reached base a collective nine times thanks to six walks. Acuña scored twice, Olson scored once, and Riley had an RBI, accounting for three of the Braves four total runs in the contest. (The 4th came from a Marcell Ozuna solo home run, only his second hit of the 2023 season).

Good evening, everyone!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/sPXunQ4G96
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 8, 2023

Acuña 40/40 Watch: 2 homeruns, 4 steals

Debuting a new segment here, as the phenom's been outspoken about this goal and looks dynamic enough to do it.

Ronald stole two bases tonight, both off of Nick Martinez. He would later come around to score after the 1st of those stolen bases, with Austin Riley bringing him in on a line drive to center.

Also, the man can play some defense.

Hang it in the Louvre @ronaldacunajr24 | #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/8WC3bUYd6S
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 8, 2023

Jared Shuster has tools, but isn't quite ready

The youngster's looked good at times, but you can tell he's not quite ready for consistent duty. He walked three batters in the first, including Ha-Seong Kim with two outs to load the bases and then walked in Nelson Cruz to give the Padres their 2nd score of the first inning. He settled down later, just like in the start in Washington, and got through the 3rd and 4th innings in order before being lifted in the top of the 5th. Manny Machado doubled to lead off the inning, with Nelson Cruz singling him over to 3rd when Atlanta went on the bullpen and got Michael Tonkin to take over. A sac fly by Jake Cronenworth was assigned to Shuster, but Tonkin got out of the inning in order and Atlanta had to start chipping away at a deficit.

Final line for Jared Shuster: 4 IP, 6H, 4R (all earned), 4 BBs, 4Ks on 91 pitches (52 strikes)

Not quite being ready isn't the end of the world, though

Kyle Wright was in his fifth season of MLB appearances before he led MLB in wins last season, with 21. Max Fried didn't become the Max Fried we all know and love until 2020, his 4th season in the majors and 2nd as a starter.

Jared Shuster has tools, and he's a good pitcher - he's just not quite ready to be a key man in the rotation of a World Series-contending team, and that's okay. He'll be fine. He'll probably even continue to start, at least until Wright and Fried return from their shoulder/hamstring ailments, respectively.

Want more?

Our own Jake Mastroianni broke everything down in the Locked On Braves POSTCAST, available on YouTube and everywhere you get your podcasts.

What's next?

Game three of the series, featuring Charlie Morton versus Michael Wacha, is tomorrow at 7:20PM ET. The game broadcast, with Voice of the Braves Brandon Gaudin, is available inside Braves Country on Bally Sports Southeast, 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.