Sale Grinds, Chavez and Minter relieve Atlanta Braves relievers

The Atlanta Braves pitchers got the job done, but not without a fight, in a 6-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. It’s a game that could have gone very differently, very quickly.

“Tonight was tough. That first round was very intense,” Sale said. said after the match“They just found a way to stick to their game plan and shoot free throws.”

In that first inning, Sale found himself in a difficult situation with the bases loaded and it took him 29 pitches to get out of it while the game was still scoreless.

Sale credited catcher Sean Murphy for helping him through a tough inning and giving him a chance to regroup.

“The fact that Murphy really knew what I needed to do to get through it helped me get through it. Once I got through that round, I was like, ‘Okay, let’s take a deep breath, refocus and get back to the business at hand.'”

Sale described his throws tonight as “sporadic” and he didn’t have the efficiency he usually has.

“It was inconsistent. Sometimes the fastball was there. Sometimes it wasn’t… it was very inconsistent with a lot of my pitches.”

Sale continued into the sixth inning but was pulled after getting into trouble again, allowing two earned runs. He threw 100 pitches in just 5 1/3 innings.

Reliever Jesse Chavez was able to come in and limit the damage to just two runs allowed. Chavez pitched 2 2/3 innings before getting the ball to AJ Minter. He needed just three pitches to close out the ninth.

Chavez talked about the importance of being able to get out there and give the rest of the bullpen a night off.

“It’s huge to be able to go out and eat innings like that,” Chavez said. said“We’re a little exhausted out there…but I go out there and just try to limit the number of pitches and get as many quick outs as possible.”

Consider it a relief for the relievers.

Sale talked about how fortunate he is to have key players in the bullpen.

“They were studs,” he said. “Just watch tonight. Chavy came in – very efficient, very fast in the middle of their order … and then Mint, a three-pitch ninth inning. That made me jealous after a 30-pitch inning.”

The Braves will look to win their series against the Diamondbacks and extend their winning streak when they return to action Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. EST.