ATLANTA — It won’t have been as ugly as the opposite latest losses. However squandering an opportunity to halt their newest prolonged shedding streak simply added to the Braves’ frustration over the previous week.
The Braves noticed their beginning pitcher full 5 innings for the primary time in six video games. Additionally they obtained huge homers from Marcell Ozuna, Ramón Laureano and Jorge Soler. However none of this mattered as they suffered a sixth straight loss with a 6-5 setback in opposition to the Rockies on Friday evening at Coors Subject.
“I’ve been a part of some fairly particular groups,” Braves veteran reliever A.J. Minter mentioned. “You’ve received to embrace the suck, simply as a lot as you [embrace the good] when every part goes good.”
This has been one of many roughest stretches ever skilled by a Braves group with legit postseason aspirations. Atlanta went six straight seasons and not using a six-game shedding streak, however they’ve now endured two because the All-Star break.
The excellent news: The Braves adopted their earlier six-game skid (July 20-26) by profitable six of their subsequent seven.
The unhealthy information: They’ve misplaced every of the six video games which have adopted.
Extra unhealthy information: Going again to 1991, no Braves group has reached the postseason after struggling by means of two six-game shedding streaks in a season. The one years they reached the playoffs after enduring any shedding streak of six video games or extra have been 1996, 2001, 2010 and 2012.
Having three Wild Card entries will assist the Braves. However they at the moment path the Mets by a half-game within the battle for the NL’s remaining Wild Card spot.
“I’ll say this till I’m finished,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned. “We’ve received lots of time to do one thing actually good. I don’t care if individuals like listening to that or not. It’s the best way I really feel.”
Snitker has maintained a optimistic method. What might worsen after being outscored 34-12 whereas being swept by the Brewers in a three-game collection at house this week?
How about being crushed by a few pitchers traded to the Rockies in trade for Pierce Johnson final summer time?
The Braves acquired Johnson for Tanner Gordon, who restricted the Braves to 2 runs over 5 innings, and Victor Vodnik, who notched the save with a scoreless ninth.
Johnson noticed a protracted, profitable stretch finish when he struggled in opposition to the Marlins on Aug. 3 and in opposition to the Brewers on Wednesday. This newest loss got here when Minter allowed two consecutive seventh-inning doubles by Benton Doyle and Ryan McMahon. The lefty reliever hadn’t beforehand allowed two extra-base hits in a sport this yr.
“It’s been powerful,” Braves third baseman Austin Riley mentioned. “There’s no different technique to put it. It’s simply been powerful. It’s feeling like an uphill battle.”
Grant Holmes has added to the fantastic story of reaching the Majors in June after 10 years within the Minors. He’ll proceed to be a helpful bullpen piece for the rest of this yr. However his previous two spot begins haven’t been nearly as good as his first. He allowed the Rockies 5 runs over 5 innings.
The rotation has been the Braves’ energy all through the season. It definitely wasn’t this previous week, because the bullpen entered earlier than the top of the fifth in 5 straight video games. However Max Fried needs to be much less rusty on Saturday as he makes his second begin since coming off the injured record. Spencer Schwellenbach will take the mound on Sunday, wanting so as to add to his sturdy rookie season.
Subsequent week’s collection in opposition to the Giants might embrace begins by Chris Sale, Morton and Ian Anderson. If promoted, Anderson would make his first begin since present process Tommy John surgical procedure final yr.
Reynaldo López might come off the injured record in a few week to offer the Braves every of their All-Star starters (Lopez, Fried and Sale) within the rotation concurrently for the primary time because the All-Star break.
These have been darkish days, however the Braves have cause to be inspired by how their roster might strengthen over the subsequent few weeks. Heart fielder Michael Harris II needs to be within the lineup on Wednesday, and Ozzie Albies may return within the first half of September.
“This sport goes to check you as a participant and check you as a person,” Minter mentioned. “We’re simply going to proceed to indicate as much as the ballpark day-after-day and simply play for the Atlanta Braves.”
