Wright’s stuff strong as Braves beat Reds
ATLANTA — Kyle Wright picked up a World Series ring, along with many of his Atlanta teammates, then pitched two-hit ball over six scoreless innings to lead the Braves to a 2-1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night.
Atlanta won for the second straight night after dropping the season opener Thursday, moving over .500 at 2-1. Last year, the Braves didn’t have a winning record until they were 57-56 on Aug. 8. They sprinted to their first World Series title since 1995, capped by a six-game victory over the Houston Astros in the Fall Classic.
Wright (1-0) struck out six batters and walked one. He retired 10 consecutive Reds before walking Tommy Pham to open the seventh.
A.J. Minter got three straight outs, Darren O’Day pitched a perfect eighth and Will Smith got the save, allowing Tommy Pham’s two-out walk and Joey Votto’s RBI single before Aristides Aquino popped out.
Newly signed closer Kenley Jansen gave up three runs Friday night while throwing 30 pitches in the ninth inning of a 7-6 win.
Wright, a 26-year-old righthander, enjoyed a strong beginning to what he hopes is a fresh start to his career. The fifth overall pick by Atlanta in the 2017 amateur draft, Wright had a 6.56 ERA in his first four seasons.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said before the game “the best thing that happened to Kyle” was spending a full 2021 season at Triple-A Gwinnett. Wright was then promoted, and he allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings in two World Series appearances against Houston.
Snitker said he sees a new “inner confidence” in Wright, who he said is “more on the attack.”
Reds right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez (0-1) allowed two runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings. Marcel Ozuna’s first-inning double drove in Matt Olson, who had singled, and Ozzie Albies’ sacrifice fly brought home Austin Riley.
Olson was thrown out at the plate in the third and seventh innings. Shortstop Kyle Farmer’s relay from left fielder Jake Fraley to catcher Aramis Garcia caught Olson in the third. Aquino’s throw to the plate from left field nailed Olson, who tried to score from second on Ozuna’s single, his third hit of the game.
The Braves received their World Series rings in a pregame ceremony. The massive ring carries 755 diamonds, a tribute to Hall of Famer Hank Aaron’s home run total.
The ring also includes a white pearl on the right side, a nod to the pearl necklace worn last season by Joc Pederson, who signed with the San Francisco Giants in the offseason.
Former longtime first baseman Freddie Freeman, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, will be presented his ring when that team visits Atlanta for June 24-26 series.
Right-hander Hunter Greene, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2017 draft by Cincinnati, will make his much anticipated MLB debut on Sunday when he faces Atlanta righty Anderson in the series finale. The hard-throwing Greene, 22, was 10-8 with a 3.30 ERA last year at Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville.
Anderson (9-5, 3.58 ERA in 2021) who left his last spring training start on Monday due to a blister on his right big toe, is not expected to have any limitations in his regular-season debut.
Braves catcher Manny Piña, dealing with a sore left wrist, took batting practice Saturday. The Braves avoided an injured list for Piña because William Contreras, who started Saturday night, is on the roster as a third catcher behind Travis d’Arnaud.
On the injury front for the Reds, right-handed pitcher Lucas Sims could be ready to join the team within two weeks and allow another option as closer. Sims opened the season on the 10-day IL after offseason health challenges put him behind his normal spring training schedule. Sims is expected to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville this week,.