Bullpen continues walk-a-thon, Atlanta Braves lose 10-4 to Reds
The Braves took a dozen wins on the road Monday, looking to continue their winning ways against a struggling Reds squad, but the bullpen broke down.
The Atlanta Braves (12-9) got off to a good start against the Reds (4-18) Monday night, getting a run each in the third and fourth innings. Mike Foltynewicz looked strong through his first four innings as well, but it all broke down from there. In the end, it’d be a 10-4 loss for Atlanta.
Atlanta’s first run came off more aggressive base running and an Adam Duvall throwing error, as Dansby Swanson made Cincinnati pay for a walk in the third. A Nick Markakis solo homer in the fourth inning made it 2-0 Braves.
Folty gave up a walk and a big homer to Scott Schebler in the bottom of the fifth to let the Reds tie it at 2-2, then things went downhill from there as the Braves bullpen would allow another eight runs; three from Sam Freeman, a pair from Peter Moylan and another three from Miguel Socolovich.
Meanwhile, Atlanta’s bats picked up another two runs, but in the end it was a 10-4 loss for the Braves.
On the night, Nick Markakis would go 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run, followed by a 2-for-4 one run night from Ender Inciarte. Freddie Freeman went 1-for-4 with a run, and Dansby Swanson had a run and a walk on the night.
The final line for Foltynewicz would be 4.2 innings with two runs on three hits. He allowed four walks and struck out seven. For the bullpen, the other three and a third innings were nothing to write home about. Only Jesse Biddle managed a scoreless outing for the Braves out of four pitchers used from the pen.
Next: Atlanta Braves: can they sustain this? Bullpen edition
The Braves and Reds get back to action Tuesday night at 6:40 p.m. ET from Great American Ballpark in game two of the series.