Takeaways from Atlanta's series-clinching victory vs the Orioles

Atlanta took twelve innings to do it, but they got the walkoff run via Michael Harris flyball to win game three and the series on Sunday afternoon. Here's what you need to know from the contest:

Braves pitchers stepped up

The Orioles have a blueprint - wear out your starting pitching with base hits, get a lead, and get the game to their lockdown bullpen.

Bryce Elder and Atlanta's bullpen had other ideas.

Baltimore twice loaded the bases in the game, and ended those innings with zero runs. Elder got out of the 3rd by striking out Ryan Mountcastle and Gunnar Henderson with the bases loaded, while Collin McHugh struck out Cedric Mullins with bases loaded in the 6th.

The Atlanta bullpen stepped up late - Baltimore didn't have a baserunner for the rest of regulation - but for this game, Bryce Elder and Collin McHugh held the line.

On a day where Elder didn't have his best stuff, he made it through the outing and did enough for Atlanta to win. He finished with five and a third innings of four hit, one run ball with four walks and four strikeouts.

Baltimore finished regulation with ten runners left on base in the contest, although a long 10th inning single off of Jesse Chavez gave the Orioles an unearned run.

Bryce Elder, Tunneling/Sequencing. pic.twitter.com/9IDdKOkaeg
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 7, 2023

Atlanta's bats couldn't seem to get going

The back half of the blueprint - use the shutdown bullpen to keep the opponents off the board - worked for the Orioles again in this one.

After allowing one run, via Matt Olson solo shot in the 1st, and three hits in the first five innings, Baltimore's bullpen got to work and quieted the Braves bats. Atlanta didn't have a baserunner in regulation after Arcia's 5th inning double until extra innings, with only the "ghost runner" giving Atlanta a baserunner against the bullpen combination of Austin Voth and Yennier Cano, who each went two innings to get Baltimore through regulation.

Orlando Arcia is BACK

The veteran shortstop, who was named the starter in spring training and, extension in hand, went and dominated before a microfractured wrist sent him to the IL, returned and started his first game in three-plus weeks for Atlanta.

Arcia looked to be back in midseason form, lacing a 5th inning double and making several smooth defensive plays. He sprinted back behind third base to make a running catch on a soft liner in shallow left, and in the 10th inning, he fielded a grounder and made a quick throw to 3rd to get the lead runner and prevent Baltimore from extending their one-run lead.

Arcia, who didn't start taking dry swings until the middle of last week, skipped a rehab assignment entirely and stepped right in like he never left. It's an addition that will make this lineup that much deeper, with another plus offensive option in the bottom half and MUCH better defense from the shortstop position than what they were getting from Vaughn Grissom.

Michael Harris II is HIM

The Braves centerfielder, who was batting in the 12th because the Orioles intentionally walked DH Marcell Ozuna to get to him, had something to say about the slight.

He laced the first pitch he saw to deep center, bouncing off the base of the wall and rattling around long enough for Ozzie Albies to score the winning run from 2nd. After hyperextending his knee against New York and wearing a knee brace, he's showing that he's comfortable enough to continue making an impact both in the field and at the plate.

SAWRY NOT SAWRY 💸@MoneyyyMikeee | #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/vvmeDZrpHJ
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 7, 2023

What's next?

Atlanta has an off day on Monday before hosting the Boston Red Sox for a short, two game series. First pitch on Tuesday is at 7:20 PM ET, and the telecast with Voice of the Braves Brandon Gaudin is available on Bally Sports South. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on WIFN 1340 AM/103.7FM or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com.

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