Sometimes it just takes extra time to get the job done.
The Atlanta Braves, trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks in their home opener at Truist Park, slowly crept up behind their opponents all nine innings to tie the game, then got the hits they needed in extra innings to beat the Diamondbacks 6-5.
✅ Home Opener
✅ Walk-Off pic.twitter.com/TJsSZGtKx1— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 6, 2024
The Braves’ night started out rough, as Spencer Strider was unable to withstand hits from Arizona, and the Braves struggled to get a baserunner to home plate, other than the first and third innings when Matt Olson would smash a fly ball to center field. The Diamondbacks would plate five runs in the first (3) and third (2) innings. Former Brave Joc Pedersen was among the Diamondbacks getting hits out of Strider, who wound up replaced on the mound by Jesse Chavez after 4 complete innings.
Things finally started to click for the Braves in the 8th inning, when Ronald Acuna Jr. doubled on a line drive that drove in a run. In the top of the ninth, Matt Olson hit a double that drove in Austin Riley. Then Jarred Kelenic doubled, sending Olson across home plate, tying the game, and giving the home crowd the exhilaration they had been waiting to feel since they took their seats nine innings ago.
Finally, in the tenth inning, Travis d’Arnauld singled, bringing Forrest Wall to home plate and confirming the Braves 2024 home opener win.
Braves relief pitcher Pierce Johnson got the win, his second.
As for Strider who struggled during his time on the mound, Braves manager Brian Snitker said after the game that Strider’s elbow was bothering him and that he would be getting an MRI on Saturday. Sobering news after a hard-fought win for the Braves in a home opener.
