Marcell Ozuna homers but Braves come up short against Rangers

The Braves win streak is over after a 6-4 loss to the Texas Rangers.

Marcell Ozuna homered again, but the Atlanta Braves saw their winning streak come to an end with a 6-4 loss to the Texas Rangers.

As has been the case for most of the season, the Braves’ offense got off to a fast start against Rangers’ right-hander Michael Lorenzen. Ronald Acuña Jr. singled to start the game and then moved up to second on a walk by Michael Harris. Lorenzen battled back and struck out Austin Riley and Matt Olson, but was unable to put away Ozuna who sent one into Atlanta’s bullpen to give the Braves an early 3-0 lead.

Darius Vines got off to a great start retiring the side in order in the first. Vines allowed a one-out single to Nathaniel Lowe in the second, but nothing else to preserve the lead. Andrew Knizner led off the third with a single to left, but Vines retired the next three hitters in order to keep it 3-0.

The Rangers answered back against Vines in the fourth. Evan Carter began the inning with a solo home run to right to make it 3-1. Vines retired Adolis Garcia on a ground out before Lowe sent another single to right. Lowe moved to second Josh Smith reached on an infield single. Langford grounded out to second on a close play at first base for the second out. However, Vines wouldn’t be able to escape as he left a changeup up to Knizner who jumped on it and drove it out to left to put the Rangers in front 4-3.

Vines came back out for the fifth and retired Marcus Semien, Corey Seager and Carter on just seven pitches. Garcia started the sixth with a rocket double off the bricks in right center. That would be the end of Vines’ night as Brian Snitker went to his bullpen for Dylan Lee.

Lee struck out Lowe looking for the first out. Garcia was then thrown out by Chadwick Tromp trying to steal third. Lee then got Smith to fly out to Acuña in right to end the inning.

Vines had the rough inning in the fourth, but was otherwise solid again. He allowed seven hits and four runs over five innings. He struck out two and didn’t walk anyone while throwing 74 pitches.

Lee returned for the seventh and allowed a leadoff single to Langford. Knizner flew out for the first out and then Tromp threw out Langford trying to steal second. Luis Guillorme made an outstanding pick on the throw down and somehow was able to get the tag on Langford. Lee wasn’t out of the woods yet though as he walked Leody Tavares and then allowed a single to Semien. However, he came back and struck out Seager swinging to keep the score 4-3.

Tyler Matzek took over in the eighth and immediately found himself in some trouble. Carter reached on an infield single and then came around to score on a two-run shot by Garcia that made it 6-3.

Atlanta had a chance to answer back, but again was unable to come up with a key hit. Acuña singled to get things started. It was the Braves’ first hit since Tromp’s single in the second inning. Harris then sent a fly ball to right that Garcia dropped in right for an error. Riley followed with a slow roller through the right side for a single that scored Acuña to cut the deficit to 6-4. With runners at the corners and no one out, Olson struck out for the fourth time in the game. Ozuna then popped out to second for out No. 2. Bruce Bochy then went back to his bullpen for former Braves reliever Kirby Yates who struck out Arcia to end the threat.

Aaron Bummer struck out two in a scoreless ninth, but Yates retired the side in order to end the game.

Atlanta still comes away with a series win, but the loss drops them to 14-6 on the season and ends their six-game winnings streak. The Braves will continue their homestand Monday when the Miami Marlins come to Truist Park for a three-game series.