ATLANTA — The Braves’ bid for a seventh straight Nationwide League East title basically died in Philadelphia final weekend. Now they’ll solely hope to show resilient sufficient to no less than earn a playoff spot by way of the Wild Card race throughout this injury-ravaged season.
A tough stretch launched one other merciless twist on Saturday, when Whit Merrifield entered the clubhouse with a protecting boot and revealed he fractured his left foot on Friday evening. Issues received worse for the Braves when Spencer Schwellenbach endured one of many worst begins of his younger profession in a 9-5 loss to the Blue Jays on Saturday evening at Truist Park.
“I’m pleased with how these guys have continued to play and struggle, whatever the guys we’ve misplaced,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker stated. “We’re nonetheless staying related and enjoying for one thing.”
Because the Braves had been getting ready to lose for the fifth time of their previous 9 video games, the Mets had been nearing completion of their ninth straight win. The Mets now have a one-game lead over the Braves within the battle for the NL’s ultimate Wild Card spot.
It has been a battle from the beginning for the Braves, who’ve seen 5 place gamers from their Opening Day lineup miss no less than two months due to damage this 12 months. That’s not even counting Spencer Strider, who lived as much as his billing as a prime Cy Younger Award candidate on Opening Day, then suffered a season-ending elbow damage in his following begin.
Nonetheless, even with all of the accidents, there was a thought the Braves may make a deep postseason run due to their beginning rotation. Schwellenbach’s spectacular rise from the Excessive-A degree to Rookie of the 12 months candidate has strengthened and stabilized the rotation.
However the 24-year-old’s magic light as he surrendered a career-worst 10 hits, together with two dwelling runs, and 6 runs — although simply three earned — over 5 innings. He had allowed three runs or fewer in every of his seven earlier begins. The one different time he surrendered six runs was when he made his second profession begin on June 5 at Fenway Park.
“I can stay with being within the zone and getting beat whereas attacking guys,” Schwellenbach stated. “That was simply a type of days.”
Coming into Saturday, the Braves’ beginning pitchers had allowed three runs or fewer in 25 straight video games, setting a franchise file that was additionally the sixth-longest streak in MLB historical past.
Schwellenbach surrendered leadoff homers to Horwitz in each the second and fourth innings. He induced a double play to place himself to exit the fourth with none additional harm, however Luke Williams, who was enjoying second base instead of Merrifield, dedicated a two-out throwing error. Ernie Clement and Joey Loperfido adopted with consecutive doubles.
“If he retains going on the market, that gained’t be the final time that occurs,” Snitker stated.
Schwellenbach has exceeded all expectations whereas posting a 3.78 ERA via his first 17 profession begins. He made simply two begins above the Excessive-A degree earlier than he debuted close to the top of Might. Making his rise much more spectacular is the truth that he wasn’t a beginning pitcher previous the highschool degree, earlier than totalling 16 begins whereas recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure final 12 months.
Schwellenbach has thrown 142 2/3 innings between the Minor and Main League ranges this 12 months. He totaled simply 65 innings final 12 months, and 31 2/3 innings whereas serving because the College of Nebraska’s nearer in 2021.
So, is he feeling fatigued?
“It’s a grind,” Schwellenbach stated. “I haven’t thrown this many innings in my life. However I’m doing no matter I can to get better and get within the coaching room and the load room and something I can to return out and pitch every time. Bodily, I really feel positive. There’s nothing flawed mentally. I simply need to maintain going.”
