The Atlanta Braves hope to continue what has been a happy mass homecoming when they send their transplants against the host San Francisco Giants for a third consecutive time on Wednesday night.
Former Giants players Jorge Soler (RBI double) and Pierce Johnson (one unearned run in one inning), and ex-Oakland Athletics Ramon Laureano (solo home run among two hits) and Jesse Chavez (scoreless inning with two strikeouts) all contributed in Atlanta’s 4-3 win Tuesday in front of at least some of their old fans in the Bay Area.
One night earlier, former A’s Sean Murphy and Matt Olson as well as ex-Giant Adam Duvall were all part of the Braves’ starting lineup in a 1-0 win.
Braves reliever Luke Jackson is the only one of the eight one-time San Francisco Bay Area employees who has yet to play in the series.
Atlanta has won the first two contests of the four-game set to open a 3 1/2-game advantage over San Francisco for the final wild-card spot in the National League.
The Giants, in turn, have lost three games in a row — all by one run — to fall back to .500 for on the season.
“Frustrating,” San Francisco manager Bob Melvin assured. “Three games in a row where we’ve lost by a run, and at home (where) we’ve been pretty good about winning the close games.”
It’s possible Duvall won’t be around to see the rest of the series. Having gone 0-for-4 in the series opener to see his season average fall to .178, the 35-year-old is considered a potential roster casualty, with the Braves expected to activate outfielder Michael Harris II from the injured list in time for Wednesday’s game.
Surely, it won’t be Soler losing his job. Dealt from San Francisco to Atlanta at the trade deadline last month, the veteran has hit a solid .279 with four homers in 12 games since joining the Braves.
He’s even gotten regular time in the outfield after having been used exclusively as a designated hitter and pinch hitter by the Giants.
“It hasn’t been easy,” Soler said of playing in the field. “I definitely feel the aches and pains from being out there running around every day.”
Travis d’Arnaud, a Southern California native, has been the chief difference-maker for the Braves in the series. He has driven in extra-inning runs with a sacrifice fly on Monday and a single on Tuesday to produce the pair of one-run wins.
The catcher likely will be in the lineup again Wednesday against Giants left-hander Robbie Ray (2-1, 3.98 ERA), against whom d’Arnaud homered in their most recent head-to-head in 2022.
Ray has gone 1-3 with a 4.85 ERA in seven career starts against the Braves. He has been effective in his last two outings overall, allowing four runs in 11 innings with 16 strikeouts. The Giants have won three of his four starts this season.
Seeking to clinch the season-series win — the Braves lead 3-2 in the seven-game matchup — Atlanta is expected to turn to right-hander Grant Holmes (0-0, 3.79) to start Wednesday’s game.
A first-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014, Holmes threw 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief in a 4-2 home loss to the Giants on July 4. He allowed one hit and struck out four. It was his only head-to-head with San Francisco.
After opening the season with 10 straight relief appearances, Holmes has started his last three outings. He’s pitched 14 2/3 innings over that span, striking out 20.
–Field Level Media