Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Heartbreaker in DC, Old Friend Hired

Aug 30, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) celebrates with catcher Wilson Ramos (40) on the field after defeating Miami Marlins 7-4 at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

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For about 8 innings last night, it seemed that every break was going Atlanta’s way.  They faced a spot starter in Tanner Roark.  They got fielding breaks (no Washington errors were officially recorded, but they did).  There was a timely hit or two.  Heck, even Adonis Garcia – after making an earlier error – made a spectacular play.  There were double plays.  Julio Teheran was more-or-less on his game again.

But ultimately, it was the power outage that doomed them again as they could only manage 2 runs against an offense that can seemingly score any time they put their minds to the task.

Teheran did complicate things by only getting through 6 innings.  That came chiefly due to a bunch of non-strikes (45 in 114 pitches) that extended ABs and resulted in 4 walks.  Still, he limited the damage to a single homer.  Fredi Gonzalez boldly went with closer Arodys Vizcaino for 2 innings, which seemed to be the right move, though a leadoff double in the 9th set up the tying run, which Washington indeed cashed in.

Peter Moylan is pitching very well.  He was only called upon to snuff one batter in the 9th, but that’s been his thing lately – he and Ryan Kelly were the only pitchers (out of 8 used) to escape unscathed in the 15-1 drubbing from the night before.

Those who were expected to hit Washington well, did so:  Cameron Maybin (2-5) and Freddie Freeman (3-4).  Nick Swisher added a huge pinch-hit get-ahead RBI single.  But that was 6 of the 9 total hits with 3 walks divvied up between Freeman and Nick Markakis.  Thus the Nats also spread out the damage.

So in the end, all it took was one blast in the 10th, and the Braves went down – again – 5-2.  Matt Marksberry was the hard-luck loser, but Brandon Cunniff had nothing, facing two batters and getting neither out.  One pitch here and there was all it took, really.

The tally:  10 in a row, 17 of 18, 10 straight on the road, and still 1 game in front of Philly for the worst record in baseball.

Next: O'Brien Laments; Gonzalez Vents