The Atlanta Braves are built around an energetic young core that they hope will develop into stars and carry them back to the days where they won the NL East every year.
The San Francisco Giants, meanwhile, have reloaded with proven veteran stars that they hope can help them win now.
These two different approaches were on full display Friday night when the two teams met in Atlanta. And though the Braves’ young core powered them to a two-run lead after the first inning, the Giants’ wily veterans immediately struck back with six in the top of the second, setting the tone for a 9-4 win.
After a single and walk, the Giants’ rally started in earnest on a Gregor Blanco triple, which tied the game. They added four more runs on doubles by Alen Hanson and Brandon Belt, as well as a fielder’s choice and a groundout.
The Braves’ two runs in the first were courtesy of Freddie Freeman, whose two-run shot to left scored Ozzie Albies, who had reached on a single earlier in the inning.
Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz struggled early with command, allowing the Giants to pick their spots in the big second inning. Foltynewicz’s ineffectiveness was atypical, as he had been dominant in the 2018 season entering Friday’s game.
Mike Foltynewicz had not allowed more than 2 ER in any of his six starts this season. The Giants tagged him for 6 ER in the 2nd inning.
— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) May 5, 2018
Giants starter Chris Stratton didn’t have his sharpest start of the season, but on this night, he didn’t need to. Stratton kept the Giants in control with three earned runs in six innings pitched before giving way to Will Smith, Tony Watson, and Sam Dyson, are of whom contributed one inning.
The score was altered cosmetically, but not substantially, by two Giants home runs: a two-run shot by Brandon Crawford in the seventh and a solo shot by Evan Longoria in the ninth, both of which were to right field.
Nick Markakis added the Braves’ third run on a solo home run in the third, while former Giant Charlie Culberson scored the Braves’ fourth run on an Albies sacrifice fly after singling his way on board in the seventh.
The series continues Saturday night in Atlanta. Ty Blach (2-3, 4.10 ERA) is expected to start for the Giants, while Brandon McCarthy (4-0, 3.09 ERA) is expected to start for the Braves.