Atlanta Braves fall in Philly as Teheran’s back can’t continue

It’s a trap!  Braves are unable to sustain an early lead; allow late runs to falter.  But that may not be the whole story.

Friday night saw the Atlanta Braves jump out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Phillies’ starter Aaron Nola on the strength of what’s becoming their trademark:  extra base hits and aggressive base-running.

Unfortunately, that was the best news of the night.

Julio Teheran was pitching hurt last night.  His pitches were topping out in the 87-88 mph range, and this came as a result of soreness to the trapezius – “trap” – muscle on the right/throwing side of his back.

He tried to pitch through it, but it was evident right away that something was amiss, based on both the velocity drop and the results.

Those results?  The Phillies managed to get back all of that 3-0 deficit before Teheran could even record a single out.  2 walks and a homer.

He then gave up another single, but schooled Ryan Hoskins by picking him off first base – Teheran could still do that much – while getting a couple of fly outs to get through the frame.

Teheran continued to pitch – actually going 1-2-3 in both the 2nd and 3rd innings before Braves manager Brian Snitker talked him out of continuing any further. It was the right move, despite putting pressure on the bullpen to carry the game from there.

Even after the game, Teheran told the media that his back was still ‘sore’ and thus he seemed to both accept and agree that getting him out of the game then was the right move.

The Braves are considering Teheran ‘day-yo-day’ right now, but I would not be surprised at all if the team opts to put him on the 10-day DL to allow (force?) him to miss a start and get healed up completely.

Such a move might also open a door to bring Luiz Gohara back to the rotation.

UPDATE – SOMETHING I MISSED:

Sounds like Gohara is now declared healthy, but perhaps not stretched out enough.  Regardless, we’ll have to see how Teheran is in another few days.

The Rest of the Game

Recently recalled Max Fried bravely tried to hold serve for innings 4-6.  Though it’s not being reported like this, I do have to wonder if there might have been some inkling that Teheran might need some help on Friday.

Matt Wisler was still on the club early Friday, but Chase Whitley was activated with Wisler being optioned back to Gwinnett.  Wisler had thrown 83 pitches and 5 innings on Wednesday and likely would not have been available for long relief.  Whitley at least represented a fresh arm… which the team brought in despite the near-off-day after Thrusday’s day game at Cincy.

That long relief role was filled by Fried, but he was followed by Whitley for an inning, then Peter Moylan.

Fried did well enough, striking out 3 and walking 1 in those 3 innings.  A solo homer was the lone ding against his pitching line, and thus he took a hard-luck loss.

Whitley showed a bit of early rust, being rudely greeted with a double and home run.  That put Philadelphia up 6-3.  Moylan allowed a run in the 8th to make it 7-3.

Once through the first inning, Aaron Nola settled down, and simply scattered a few hits for the rest of 7 innings… even (notably) surviving his manager giving a pep talk in the 6th when all the world expected a pitching change.  Seems Gabe Kapler is learning something, darn it.

Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuña Jr each collected 2 hits and an RBI apiece last night, though not a lot came from the offense after that bombastic 1st – an inning in which Ozzie Albies was credited with a steal of home.

Acuña just continues to rake:  he’s now hitting .462 with an OPS over 1.300 over 3 games.  It’s ridiculous, but it’s working.

Notes

Tyler Flowers is back and will be in harness tonight.  The way Kurt Suzuki is hitting, Flowers might need a few hits just to keep his bat in the lineup.

More from Tomahawk Take

• Atlanta Braves 2023 Preseason Top 30 Prospects List: 11-15
• Braves News: Braves sign Luplow, Atlanta’s shortstop plans, more
• Atlanta Braves Could Go With Six-Man Rotation in 2023
• Atlanta Braves sign free agent outfielder Jordan Luplow
• Atlanta Braves 2023 Preseason Top 30 Prospects List: 16-20

As expected – but not necessarily desired – third catcher Carlos Perez was designated for assignment to make room for Flowers.

Jose Bautista is up to 17 AB at AAA now… and is hitting .178 with 3 singles, 4 walks, and 5 strikeouts.  That includes a 1 for 3 night last night with 2 walks in Gwinnett’s 10-4 loss to the Durham Bulls.

Meanwhile, Nick Markakis‘ brother-in-law is scuffling:  Ryan Flaherty did collect 1 hit last night, but he’s now 2 for his last 18 (.111) and 4 for 27 (.148) dating back to April 19.  He did continue his 7 game personal hit streak/vendetta against Philadelphia, but against all other teams he is hitting just .229 (11 for 48, no HR, 3 RBI, 9 BB, 16 K).

Next: Win When??

Game time tonight (Folty vs. Pivetta) is at 6:05 EDT.