Recap: Atlanta Braves Smoked in an Ugly 11-0 Loss
Ryan Braun (8) receives congratulations from first baseman Adam Lind (24) after he hit a home run in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Last night it was one inning that turn that game into a laugher for Atlanta.
Tonight it was one inning that did likewise for the Milwaukee Brewers.
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It was definitely unfortunate for the Atlanta Braves that Alex Wood was scratched from his start. At the same time, it was also quite revealing.
Neither Eric Stults nor Trevor Cahill were able to exercise any kind of damage control as both allowed the 4th inning to spiral out of control.
The FOX broadcast crew kept suggesting that it was a ball-or-strike call here and there that could have changed the entire inning. That may be true, but the fact remains: Stults had the Brewers down to a runner on first with 2 outs. He was unable to complete the inning. What followed was:
- Double
- Intentional walk
- Bases-loaded walk
- Infield single
- pitching change to Cahill
- Single
- Double
- Double
- strikeout… finally
That’s just unacceptable and continues to highlight the fact that even as an emergency starter, Eric Stults has little to offer for “innings eating.” Likewise, Trevor Cahill showed nothing, for even after the debacle in the 4th, allowed two singles and a walk before escaping with a double play.
An Offensive Performance
Meanwhile, the rest of the team had a terrible night as well. Only Cameron Maybin and Nick Markakis managed hits – oh, and Trevor Cahill (but does that count?).
Christian Bethancourt was also exposed a bit behind the plate with awkward plays, an error (via Catcher’s Interference, which translate to the first error on a Braves catcher this season), and general sloppy-looking play. There would have been a wild pitch unblocked in the 6th, except that Bethancourt’s nimbleness and arm turned that into an out at the plate with Ian Thomas covering.
So it’s done… one bad night… the Braves still need to regroup and take care of business Saturday and Sunday against the Brewers. We’ll wait to see if there are any further changes to the rotation, given Alex Wood’s ailment, but Shelby Miller was scheduled to go, and likely will.