Atlanta Braves Drop Lead In 8th After Teheran Dominated Brewers, Loses 4-2

Julio Teheran had a strong outing for Atlanta Braves but it all went to waste when Jesse Biddle faltered and gave up the lead in the 8th

Julio Teheran has been on a recent stretch where it seems like he’s somewhat back on track for Atlanta Braves.

On July 30th against the Miami Marlins, he went five innings and though he did give up three runs, he struck out four and held the Marlins enough for the win. Then on August 5th against the New York Mets, he allowed three runs in 5.2 innings but also struck out six.

Tonight, against the Brewers, he served six innings, striking out six and allowed only a single run. Teheran last faced the Brewers back on June 25th of last season and gave up seven earned runs in only three innings. So it was a turnaround for him and the Braves were looking like winners until the 8th inning.

Though at times struggling with finding the strike zone – missing on the arm side as usual – Teheran was still strong for six innings including striking out his final batter. His only allowed run came in the first inning. However, he was at 90 pitches and manager Brian Snitker decided to pull him.

Recently acquired Brad Brach came in and continued the shut-down, drawing three ground outs. Jesse Biddle followed the next inning and was not his usual self.

Firing A Cannon

Initially, the Brewers scored off Teheran in the first after Christian Yelich walked to start the game and was moved over by a Lorenzo Cain fielder’s choice. Ryan Braun singled home the run.

Leading off for the Braves, Ronald Acuña Jr. continued to shine. On an off-speed cutter, he launched one to left for a solo home run to tie the game. Ozzie Albies and Freddie Freeman reached base as well, but a one-out double play by Johan Camargo ended the inning.

In the 4th, Freeman hustled for a lead-off double and then hustled to score on a single by Nick Markakis. Braves take the lead 2-1.

Domino Effect

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Fast-forwarding to the 8th, Jesse Biddle came in to set-up the 9th — presumably for A.J. Minter.

Easy right? That was not how it turned out at all.

Yelich reached base when Biddle dropped the ball trying to receive a toss from Freeman barehanded. That seemed to set off a chain of dominoes and possibly took Biddle off his game.

Two pitches later, Cain knocked a single to center before both runners scored on Mike Moustakas‘s double to left. Brewers take the lead.

With two on, Snitker replaced for Dan Winkler but he walked Jesus Aguilar to load the bases. A hit by Erik Kratz scored another run.

Josh Hader came in for the Brewers for the 8th and 9th inning and completely shut down the Braves offense for the 4-2 loss.

The Braves could have scored an insurance run earlier in the 7th when Dansby Swanson reached on a 2-out infield hit. Next Ender Incarte lined one to deep left but Ryan Braun made an impressive ‘Superman’ catch to end the inning.

Biddle has easily been one of the better pitchers coming out Atlanta bullpen this season but sometimes you slip a bit. It didn’t take much of an opening for the Brewers to take advantage.

Teheran gets a no-decision.

Division Race Update

Braves lose, Nationals and Phillies win
This is the opposite of what happened Friday
Braves return to 1 game behind Philly; Nats trail Atlanta by 4½
Braves are in the 2nd Wild Card position (vs. Milwaukee)
Arizona and the Dodgers are tied for their division lead; one of them would be1 game behind Atlanta for the Wild Card.

Next. What The Braves Off-Season COULD Look Like. dark

The Braves will look to take the series when Sean Newcomb (10-5, 3.15) goes against Chase Anderson (7-7, 3.81) this afternoon at 1:35 PM ET.

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