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Takeaways from Atlanta's extra-innings walk-off victory against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night

The Braves locked down home field advantage through the National League postseason thanks to Ozzie's walk-off single
Lindsay Crosby|
Takeaways from Atlanta's extra-innings walk-off victory against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night
Takeaways from Atlanta's extra-innings walk-off victory against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night

The Atlanta Braves walked off the Chicago Cubs in ten innings tonight in Truist Park, 6-5, to secure home field advantage through the National League postseason. Here's what you need to know about from the victory: 

Darius Vines got the start and continued to deliver

The Atlanta Braves have used sixteen different starting pitchers this season, owing to injuries in their rotation (Max Fried, Kyle Wright) and ineffectiveness. 

Darius Vines has delivered. 

The 25 year-old out of Ventura, CA picked up a quality start tonight in his second career start (fifth appearance), going six innings with three runs (two earned) on six hits, walking two and striking out five. 

Both of his earned runs came on solo homers, both in the 3rd inning. Outside of that, Vines did his job, mostly keeping Chicago off the board and giving Atlanta's bats a chance to put up some runs. 

But that unearned run...we've got to talk about that

Braves manager Brian Snitker got thrown out of this game, and with good reason: The umpires blew a call. 

With runners on 1st and 3rd and only one out in the 2nd inning, Vines threw a fastball low in the zone and it fouled off of Jeimer Candelario's bat and bounced behind catcher Sean Murphy.   

The issue is, home plate umpire Shane Livensparger called it a passed ball, allowing the game-tying run to score. And then after the other three umpires came in to discuss it with Livensparger, they allowed the play to stand. 

And Brian Snitker did NOT like that. 

By rule, Atlanta wasn't allowed to challenge the call - fair/foul plays in the infield can't be reviewed, only in the outfield - but the umpires didn't correct the obvious mistake after they huddled to discuss it, and Snitker's (rightful) insistence that the umpires fix the incorrect call got him thrown out of this one. 

It's only the 19th ejection of Snitker's eight year MLB managerial career, spanning 1151 games. 

(By comparison, former Braves manger Bobby Cox was thrown out a MLB-record 162 times in his 4508 games.) 

Ozzie Albies continues his hot streak

Ozzie's so hot right now. 

The Braves 2nd baseman, just a day after going 2-4 with two doubles and a run scored in Atlanta's come from behind, 7-6 win, over the Chicago Cubs, was back to his winning ways tonight. 

After a first inning homer, his 33rd of the season (a career-high for Ozzie), Albies drove in Ronald Acuña Jr. with a clutch 8th inning single to tie the game at three. 

And then, because he was not done yet, Ozzie singled home AGAIN, this time for the winning run in the 10th inning to secure the walk-off victory and home field advantage for the Braves.

It's the third consecutive Braves walk-off that has come courtesy of Ozzie Albies, which if you think about it, is a WILD stat. 

It brings the 2nd baseman's line to .438/.441/.781 over the last week, getting him as hot as conceivably possible at just the right time, with the playoffs set to start next weekend. 

What else can be said about Ronald Acuña Jr?

After singling home the game-tying run in the 10th inning, Ronald stole 2nd for his 70th base of the season. He's the only player in baseball history to have 40 homers and 70 steals in a season...or 60 steals, or 50 steals. 

If it's not clear yet, we're witnessing history right now in Ronald Acuña Jr's 2023 season.  

He went on to score from 2nd on Ozzie's single to win the game for Atlanta, immediately jumping up to mob Albies before he got a Gatorade bath courtesy of Michael Harris II.  

What's next for the Atlanta Braves? 

They're looking for the series sweep tomorrow night - first pitch in the series finale with the Cubs is set for 7:20 PM ET, with Marcus Stroman on the mound for Chicago; AJ Smith-Shawver will get called up to start for Atlanta. The game broadcast will be available on Bally Sports South.

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Lindsay Crosby
LINDSAY CROSBY

Managing Editor for Braves Today and the 2023 IBWAA Prospects/Minors Writer of the Year. You can reach him at contact@bravestoday.com

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