Takeaways: Braves win game three 8-5 to avoid being swept by the Cardinals

Solid starting pitching and the long ball was the right formula for tonight's win.

The Braves beat the Cardinals 8-5 tonight. With the win, the Braves avoided being swept in a series for the third time this season. The win also snaps a three-game losing streak going back to the final game in the Dodgers series. The Braves are now 91-48 on the season.

Max Fried Pitched Well

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Braves needed Max to be Max tonight, and he delivered. After two bad games the previous two nights against the Cardinals, the Braves looked to Fried to take command of the game. 

Besides a rough second inning where the Cardinals scored three runs, Max was in control all night. Max went six innings, giving up three earned runs, two walks, and striking out four. Max is now 7-1 with a 2.70 ERA. 

The Braves Love the Long Ball

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

This team continues to punish its opponents with home runs. Tonight, the Braves hit five more home runs. Acuña had two, Harris II, d’Arnaud, and Olson each had one. 

Olson continues to lead all of baseball in home runs. Tonight was his 47th home run of the season. He is just five home runs away from having the all-time Braves single-season home run record. Andrew Jones hit 51 home runs for the Braves in 2005.

Matty there it GOES! 🚀@mattolson21 | @Delta #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/hXdUnTepDe

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 8, 2023

The Braves have hit 270 home runs on the season. They have moved into fifth place all-time for team home runs in a single season. Minnesota holds the record with 307 home runs set in 2019.

Tomorrow night, the Braves open up a three-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. First pitch is at 7:20p Eastern.

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