Takeaways from Atlanta's 4-3 loss in the series finale to the San Francisco Giants

Atlanta rallied late but wasn't able to complete the comeback against the San Francisco Giants, dropping the series finale 4-3.

Here's what you need to know about the contest:

Max Fried is still working his way back

The Braves lefty missed over two months this season, and is still getting back into midseason form.

Fried went 5.2 innings with three runs allowed, scattering nine hits and a walk over his innings. He struck out six, but was also victimized by Luis Matos and Wilmer Flores homers.

In retrospect, the first start back against the Cubs - 6 innings of three hit, scoreless baseball with no walks and eight strikeouts - was the outlier. Fried's allowed six or more hits in last three starts, with a total of nine runs in those 15.2 innings.

It's not bad baseball, mind you - Atlanta won two of those starts and didn't lose today because of Fried - it's just not quite what we all know Max Fried is capable of when he's in a groove.

Orlando Arcia breaks out of the slump in a big way

The Braves shortstop was in a bit of a mini-slump recently, going 1-26 over the last week of games.

Well, not anymore.

Arcia teed off on Giants opener Jakob Junis in the 2nd inning, launching a 0-1 slider to deep left for Atlanta's first lead off the game. It's his 14th of the season, and he has an outside chance at getting to 20 home runs this year, which would lead to an absolutely wild milestone to this offense: Atlanta already has six hitters at 20 home runs, with Eddie Rosario right on the doorstep with 19. No offense in MLB history has had eight players finish the regular season with 20 home runs.

Atlanta needs one more guy to step up in the bullpen

We know who the primary high-leverage relievers are in this Braves pen - Raisel Iglesias, AJ Minter, Joe Jiménez, and Peirce Johnson.

But with possible roster moves to be made, Atlanta needs one more guy to step up and present a case why he should be the guy.

Kirby Yates failed the test today.

With most of the back-end unavailable, Yates got the ball for the 9th and opened the inning walk, HBP, HBP to load the bases with no outs for San Francisco. He almost got out of it with consecutive strikeouts to Patrick Bailey and JD Davis, but a walk to pinch-hitter Joc Pederson brought in the winning run and Collin McHugh came in to clean up and prevent further runs.

Atlanta needs a 5th high-leverage reliever, and right now they don't know who that is.

Defense matters

All three of Atlanta's runs in this game were unearned. Newly recalled third baseman Casey Schmitt, considered the best defensive 3rd baseman in the minor leagues, committed a fielding error in the 2nd inning that extended the inning for Orlando Arcia to hit the home run.

Atlanta tied the game in the 8th on a throwing error by catcher Patrick Bailey, who was so amped up to try and prevent a stolen base at 3rd that he fired the ball right into left field, allowing Ronald to easily trot home.

The Giants have eighty errors on the season, the 2nd worst mark in the National League, and it makes life difficult on a pitching staff.

What's next for the Atlanta Braves?

The Braves open their final series of the homestand tomorrow night against the New York Mets, with Allan Winans getting the start for Atlanta against lefty David Peterson. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 PM ET from Truist Park. The game broadcast is available locally on Bally Sports Southeast and on MLB.tv outside of Braves Country. The radio call is available in the Atlanta Metro area on 680 The Fan, regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network, and nationally on MLB.tv.

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