Atlanta Braves strong for postseason as they blank Chicago Cubs 3-0 – MLB Update
The Atlanta Braves bagged their fifth consecutive victory and went a step ahead in cementing their spot for the postseason as they blanked the Chicago Cubs 3-0 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois on Monday, August 22.
Jair Jurrjens was a revelation at the mound as he pitched 6.1 innings for no runs and eight hits to bring his current season’s earned-run average down to 2.71. The right-handed pitcher displayed immense variety in his spell as he silenced the Cubs to bag
his 13th win of the season with just five losses against his name thus far.
Jonny Venters then provided the Braves with what can be termed as a perfect closing. He did not let the hard work put in by Jurrjens go to waste and did not concede any hit in the concluding inning, striking-out two batters in the process, to bring his earned-run
average down to 1.10. This was Venters’ fifth save of the season.
Ryan Dempster failed to produce a similar performance for the Cubs as the starter leaked three expensive-runs in his six innings of ordinary pitching. His eight strike-outs could not prevent him from losing his ninth game of the season and his win-loss tally
now stands at 10-9.
The relief pitchers were impressive for the Cubs and all three of them threw perfect innings but the Braves had already scored enough runs to see themselves safely through.
Two of the three runs came in as homers for the visiting side. Freddie Freeman unleashed one in the second inning before Dan Uggla matched the first baseman’s feat in the sixth inning. Jose Constanza was the third scorer for the Braves as he scored a run
in the third inning of the game. Constanza, however, left the game in the sixth inning citing a right ankle injury.
The Braves are now just 6.5 games behind National League leaders Philadelphia Phillies. With a Wild Card entry certain, the Braves would want to fight till the end to give a tough time to the Phillies if not overtake them. This will be Atlanta’s second consecutive
appearance in the postseason.
The Braves lead the four-game series 1-0.
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