Freeman's walkoff gives Braves 13 inning win

*Photo from the Durango Herald*

Atlanta leads series 1-0

   This was one of those games where unfortunately, someone had to lose. The pitching was stellar, Freddie Freeman drove in the only run, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 in a 13 inning affair in the first game of what figures to be an exciting wild card round. 

   The game's first and only run came in the bottom of the 13th inning, when Freeman singled into center field, scoring Cristian Pache and making it 1-0 Braves, the final score. Freeman said simply that ''That was a very stressful 4 1/2 hours."

   Freeman continued his case for the NL MVP this season with another big at bat when his team needed him the most, following up a very strong regular season with a good start to the playoffs. Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Freeman batting in the 13th that ''That's the guy we want up there." 

   AJ Minter got the win for the Braves, finishing off the 13th inning for Atlanta. Max Fried got the start for the Braves in a pitchers duel, going 7 dominant innings, allowing no runs on 6 hits, striking out 5 hitters. The Braves used lots of pitchers after that, using Chris Martin, Mark Melancon, Will Smith, Darren O'Day, Tyler Matzek, Shane Greene, and Minter. That will lead to a likely taxed bullpen for the remainder of the series. 

   The Braves won the first game of a playoff series for the first time since 2001, and in a short series like this, that can make all the difference, especially as the Braves are trying to snap a streak of 10 straight series losses in the playoffs. Fried said after the game that ''We're one away from winning it. I'm feeling really good going into tomorrow.'' 

   Archie Bradley took the loss for the Reds, being responsible for the winning run by the Braves. Bradley was only able to get one out in his appearance, facing 3 batters. Trevor Bauer started for the Reds, throwing 7 2/3 dominant innings. Bauer allowed no runs on 2 hits, walking no one and striking out 12 hitters, continuing to build his case for winning the NL Cy Young award. After Bauer, Raisel Iglesias, Lucas Sims, Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett, and Bradley pitched. 

   The series continues Thursday, when the Braves look to finish off the Reds as Ian Anderson gets the start. The Reds look to force a game 3 when Luis Castillo takes the mound.