Foltynewicz Falters Early, Atlanta Braves Late Rally Not Enough

The Atlanta Braves pitching was an issue from the get-go, as Folty lasted only 3 2/3 innings, while the bats couldn’t drive in enough runs.

On a cold, windy, snowy day in Pittsburgh, with the snow coming and going, the Atlanta Braves starter did not seem to have the command he had in spring training. In his first attempt to show why he won the spot in the rotation, it was not a good impression at all.

Mike Foltynewicz started out with promise striking out the Pirates’ center fielder, Starling Marte and then induced a fly-out from Josh Bell. A single from Pirate’s star player Andrew McCutchen later, Gregory Polanco lined out to Matt Kemp.

The game remained scoreless for both sides until the bottom of the third inning.

Missing the Big Hit

After Pirate starter Ivan Nova faced the minimum in the top of the inning, he hit a fly ball for the first out. Foltynewicz then threw a ball that hit Marte before giving up a single to Bell, putting runners on first and third.

Up comes McCutchen who hit a shot that Dansby Swanson couldn’t get to, giving the Bucs their first run of the game.

The Pirates continued the threat by loading the bases after David Freese drew a walk but couldn’t take advantage of it as Francisco Cervelli grounded to a fielder’s choice that ended the inning.

The Braves almost immediately try to counter with their own offense as Freeman hit a 1-out single to left, Matt Kemp immediately followed with a single of his own. Nick Markakis then was hit-by-a-pitch to load the bases.

The Braves, however, failed to make use of it as well as Brandon Phillips grounded into a double-play to end the top half of the fourth inning.

The damage from the Pirates continued as Marte would drive in Jordy Mercer who was on second to put them up 2-0. Prior to this, Brandon Phillips made a low catch for the first out which saved Freeman, who was having some trouble making the play.

Foltynewicz would give back-to-back walks to Bell and McCutchen before getting pulled from the game. Eric O’Flaherty replaced him and got Polanco to fly out to end the inning.

Halftime

Atlanta scored their first run in the fifth inning when pinch-hitter Emilio Bonifacio lined a 2-out shot to left field which turned out to be an error on Polanco. Standing on second, Ender Inciarte hit a double to score Bonifacio.

Sometimes in life, things seem to take a sharp turn just as you begin to catch up…this was one of those moments. Josh Collmenter came into the game for Atlanta and the Pirates immediately attacked him.

Freese and Cervelli connected for back-to-back solo home-runs, giving the Pirates a 4-1 lead. Josh Harrison then hit a big pop to left field but Matt Kemp made a hard diving catch to get the out. Kemp would later leave the game after hitting a single with some right hamstring tightness.

Braves Late Rally

After the Pirates put another run on the board, the Braves kicked off the eight inning with immediate offense.

During a scary moment, Swanson sent a hard shot that bounced off of David Freese’s chest.

At that point, fans were already waiting for the game to end as they were starting to cheer whenever the sun would shine through the dark skies, so that definitely pulled their attention back to the game.  Freese seemed to be okay as he stayed for the remainder of the inning.

Freeman hit into a fielder’s choice before Chase d’Arnaud, who ran for Kemp, singled to center. Nick Markakis then doubled to deep right, scoring Freeman.

After a pitching change, Brandon Phillips quickly singled in two more runs to put the Braves within one. The Double-Play Curse bit Atlanta again, as Adonis Garcia induced one to end the inning.

More from Tomahawk Take

• Atlanta Braves 2012 Prospect Review: Joey Terdoslavich
• Braves News: Braves sign Fuentes, Andruw’s HOF candidacy, more
• The Weakest Braves Homers Since 2015
• Atlanta Braves Sign Joshua Fuentes to Minor League Deal
• Braves News: New Year’s Eve comes with several questions about the 2023 Braves

After Aroldys Vizcaino worked to get three outs, the Braves looked to continue their late rally.

Kurt Suzuki was hit on the backside by Pirate’s closer Tony Watson. Braves manager Brian Snitker would send Jace Peterson – the last player on the Braves bench as Tyler Flowers was already on deck to hit for Vizcaino – to pinch run for Suzuki.

However, Watson got Flowers to make a swinging bunt, Inciarte to ground out and finally Swanson to fly out to end the game.

What To Take From This

This game continued to expose how weak the Braves bench is.

Bonifacio was lucky Polanco made the error, Anthony Recker struck out in the seventh, D’Arnaud made a single that if the wind carried it just a bit more would have been caught.

Flowers is in a platoon with Suzuki, so that is a whole other thing and Peterson was just a pinch runner, but in all, it showed why the Braves needed some boost in the bench bat category.

Hopefully newly signed Ryan Howard can dust off the rust and help the Braves out.

The game also showed how some of the Braves starters are off to a slow start, though slowly improving. Inciarte and Markakis both had two hits and an RBI today while Phillips drove in two with his one hit.

Matt Kemp continued his hot start with two hits, the Braves made a good decision to pull out their hottest hitter in hopes of avoiding an extended injury.

I can see them resting Kemp tomorrow and letting d’Arnaud or Peterson substitute in for him unless he really feels like he can play.

Foltynewicz continued to show his potential throwing fast balls on the mid to high 90s while still getting some to strike out. A goal for him this season was to continue to improve his command and remain consistent. Hopefully his next outing will be better.

Next: Braves Could Get One Of Their Weapons Back Soon

Glad to see that Freese was not seriously injured and Matt Kemp is also fine. R.A. Dickey takes the mound for the Braves tomorrow against Pirates’ Chad Kuhl 7:05 p.m. (ET).