Atlanta Braves Solid Pitching, But Silent Bats Lead To 0 and Seven Season

Braves Lose To Nats 2-1

Another day, another game, another loss.  The Atlanta Braves have started the 2016 season 0-7 for the first time since 1988 when they started 0-10 and this marks the third time since moving to Atlanta in 1966 – 1980 started 0-7, 1988 started 0-10 and 2016 started 0-7.

The Braves are one of two teams that still have yet to win a ball game in 2016.  The Minnesota Twins are the other team as they are 0-7 as well.  They’ve only played one home game so far in 2016 and this could be an excuse.  To compare, the Braves have played at Turner Field five out of seven games already.

If you’re asking, has a team not lose a game in 2016?  Yes, but only one team…the Baltimore Orioles.

Chacin Sharp In First Start

Braves starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin was called up earlier today from the Gwinnett Braves and made his first start for the Braves.  In his first start, he went six innings, gave up five hits, zero runs and zero walks.  He also totaled up eight strikeouts against a very productive Washington Nationals lineup.

The 28-year-old will be a consistent starter in the rotation for the Braves in 2016.  He started the season in Gwinnett since the Braves didn’t need a fifth start until today.  If he continues to pitch like he did on Tuesday, he will become the Braves #1 shortly.

Both teams totaled 10 strikeouts apiece on Tuesday night and it could have been because of Head Umpire Dan Iassogna.  His strike zone was very loose tonight and hitters had no idea what was a strike.  Ryan Zimmerman, a guy who rarely argues balls and strikes, had a few words for Iassogna after a strikeout in the 6th inning.

Johnson Ruins A Great Pitching Game

To say it was a pitching duel would be an understatement.  It was nice to see a Braves starter have a good night as well as the bullpen…well, expect for Jim Johnson‘s night.

Johnson came into pitch the 8th inning with a 0-0 tie and actually got a leadoff strikeout, but then allowed two runs and evidentially picked up the loss.

Stephen Drew singled to center field and then Michael Taylor grounded out.  This put Drew at second base.  With two outs, Johnson walked Anthony Rendon which put runners on first and second.

Fredi Gonzalez decided to remove Johnson from the game with Bryce Harper approaching the plate.  They went with left-handed relief pitcher Eric O’Flaherty.

On the first pitch, Harper hit a soft fly ball to left field which Jeff Francoeur tried to make a diving play, but came up short.  Drew and Rendon both scored.

Francoeur Could Have Been The Hero

We’ve already discussed the play in left field that Francoeur could have made, but he also could have been the offensive hero.

In the top of the 8th inning, Braves youngster Mallex Smith led off with a four-pitch walk.  Then, Nick Markakis walked.  Braves runners on first and second, no out with Freddie Freeman at the plate.  Sounds like we’ve got something cooking, right?

Nope, Freeman strikes out on a wicked curveball or slider.  While we’re talking about Freeman…he went 0-3 with a walk and this strikeout.  He’s now batting .095 for the 2016 season…ouch.

Next up, Adonis Garica.  He singles to right field, but runners are only able to advance one base.  Now Atlanta has bases loaded, one out.  NOW, we’ve got something cooking, right…please??

Francoeur is next in the Braves lineup and on a 1-2 pitch, he grounds to shortstop for an inning ending double play.

Does this knock all wind out of the Braves sails and a momentum swing to the Nats?  Looked like it as Washington scored their winning runs in the bottom of this inning.

Other Notes From Tuesday

-Braves did score in the top of the 9th inning when Kelly Johnson doubled in Beckham.

-Though Freeman went 0-3, he did put two really good swings together in his second and third at-bat.  The hard line drives were unfortunate right to the Nats outfielders.

-Mallex was back in the lineup for the Braves after getting a gash in his forehead from an attempted steal on Monday.  It was thought that the Braves would go with Drew Stubbs today especially because the Nats had left-handed Gio Gonzalez on the mound.  Guess they wanted to see what Smith could do with a lefty.

-Braves relief pitcher Hunter Cervenka pitched in his first ever Major League game on Tuesday.  The 26-year-old lefty came into the game in the bottom of the 7th inning, but wasn’t able to record an out.  Daniel Murphy singled off Cervenka and they removed him from the game.

-Garcia and Gordon Beckham both had two hits apiece…the Braves only had six for the game.

-The Braves lineup batting averages couldn’t be uglier.  It’s almost as bad as the bullpen.

Braves and Nationals play again Wednesday at 7:05pm.  Matt Wisler against Stephen Strasburg.