Atlanta Braves Game Recap: Wisler Wins Pitching Duel Debut 2-1
Jun 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Matt Wisler(37) delivers a pitch to a New York Mets batter in the fifth inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
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If you like pitching, you loved this game tonight – especially since the Braves refused to lose once again, coming up with two runs in the eighth to give Matt Wisler a well-earned victory during his first major league game.
Yes, if you’re thinking about it, you heard that right: Wisler pitched eight innings tonight… long enough for the Braves to knock out the reigning Rookie of the Year in Jacob deGrom by overcoming a 1-0 deficit.
Solid and Composed
Wisler was not overpowering, but he was exacting and kept the Mets’ hitters guessing, pitching to weak contact for most of the night. He struck out just two batters – including the first one he faced in Curtis Granderson – and walked none while scattering six hits. There were 11 ground ball and 11 fly ball outs. An efficient 88 pitches over those 8 innings.
One fly ball didn’t fall into a glove: Miguel Tejada laced a double over the head of Eury Perez in the the sixth inning. After a fly ball moved him to third, Michael Cuddyer singled him home to give the lead to the Mets. But a double play ended that threat… and it really wasn’t that big a threat.
Chipping Away
Meanwhile, while deGrom also had his opposition off-balance, the Braves seemed to have a better plan against him than usual. They were likewise putting the ball into play, as he garnered only 3 strikeouts in his 7.1 innings of work… not the common result Atlanta has against deGrom.
There were just 4 hits and one walk for the home club, but like the Mets, the deciding rally was started with a double – off the bat of Andrelton Simmons. An hustling infield single by a really fast Pedro Ciriaco then set up Jace Peterson for another double that was – once again for him – the clutch hit of the game that drove in both runners.
From there, it was just up to Jason Grilli to dispatch the 9th inning. 2 strikeouts, a rushed error and a flyout later, Grilli had save number 19 and Wisler had win #1.
We even have a reaction from the winning pitcher:
Great start to a weekend that might end up with few hits and even fewer runs throughout the series, with Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey on deck for the Mets.
MEANWHILE…
It should be reported that Mike Foltynewicz had a real rough go for Gwinnett tonight: 6 innings, 7 hits, 7 earned runs, 2 homers (including a grand slam)… with 4 walks and 5 Ks. I guess we’ll have to give him one Mulligan as he seeks to get his ship righted.