Atlanta, GA
Sal Frelick shines in debut as Brewers edge Braves
[1/23]Jul 22, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna (13) steals second base before the tag by Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (0) in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
July 23 – Sal Frelick had three hits and drove in the tying and go-ahead runs in his major league debut to pace the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-3 comeback victory over the visiting Atlanta Braves on Saturday night.
Austin Riley hit his sixth homer in the past five games for the Braves.
Frelick’s sacrifice fly in the eighth put Milwaukee ahead to stay. Willy Adames opened the frame with a double down the left field line off Joe Jimenez (0-3), who relieved Collin McHugh to start the inning. Adames advanced on an error on Andruw Monasterio’s one-out fielder’s choice when the throw to third got away from Riley. Frelick’s liner to right scored Adames, who slid home ahead of the throw.
The Braves loaded the bases in the ninth off closer Devin Williams. Eddie Rosario singled with one out. Pinch runner Forrest Wall, also in his first big-league game, stole second and third. After Orlando Arcia struck out, Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuna Jr. walked to load the bases, but Williams struck out Ozzie Albies for his 25th save in 27 opportunities.
Joel Payamps (4-1) tossed a scoreless eighth for the victory.
Frelick also made a pair of leaping catches at the wall in right in the top half of the sixth to prevent extra-base hits.
Riley staked the Braves to a 3-0 lead in the third with his 22nd homer of the season.
Acuna opened the third with a single up the middle and Albies walked. Riley then sent an 0-1 pitch from Adrian Houser 422 feet to center.
Braves starter Allan Winans, making his big-league debut three weeks before his 28th birthday, allowed just two hits before running into trouble in the fifth.
Frelick singled to right and Owen Miller doubled. Frelick scored on Brice Turang’s sacrifice fly to center and Blake Perkins followed with an RBI single to make it 3-2, chasing Winans.
Milwaukee tied it at 3 in the sixth off Michael Tonkin when Jesse Winker drew a one-out walk, Monasterio singled and Frelick followed with an RBI single to left.
Houser matched his career high with 10 strikeouts, giving up three runs on six hits in six innings. Winans allowed two runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking one.
–Field Level Media
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