The Toronto Blue Jays dropped the first of three games against the Atlanta Braves. Both teams mustered seven hits but the Blue Jays left nine runners on base as they could only score one run in 9 innings.
Kevin Gausman (12-10, 4.07) got the start for the Blue Jays, while Max Fried (8-8, 3.52) took the ball for the Braves.
Gausman had a solid night. Despite just a shaky 2nd inning, Gausman tossed 6 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking three and punching out five, taking his 11th loss of the year. Fried, on the other hand, was even better. The veteran southpaw threw 7 innings, allowing one run (unearned) on five hits, walking one and striking out eight to earn his eighth victory of the year.
The Braves got on the board first, scoring all three of their runs in the bottom half of the 2nd inning. An RBI single from Jarred Kelenic gave the Braves a 1-0 lead. Another RBI single, this time by Gio Urshela extended the Atlanta lead to 2-0. A fielder’s choice from Michael Harris II gave the Braves their third run.
The Blue Jays got their only run in the bottom of the 2nd, scoring on a fielder’s choice by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Besides these four runs, both teams were quiet on offence. The Blue Jays and the Braves combined to strand 15 runners on base, as Atlanta went on to win by a final score of 3-1. Both bullpens, however, were solid as four relievers between the Jays and Braves didn’t allow a single run to either offence.
The Blue Jays will look to even the series with a win over the Braves in game two on Saturday night. Jose Berrios (14-9, 3.59) will be on the bump for the Blue Jays as the Braves will send rookie Spencer Schwellenbach (5-6, 3.69) to the mound.
