The Atlanta Braves nearly made it three months of being in contention, but on the last day of June a loss to the Washington Nationals pushed them to seven games out of first place in the National League East.
In the series opener that was billed as a pitchers’ duel, the Nationals got to Atlanta ace Shelby Miller early. Just two batters into the game, Washington scored the opening run, eventually plating four in the opening stanza.
The lead was more than enough for Jordan Zimmermann, who was fresh off an eight-inning, six-hit, scoreless performance in his last start, which also came against the Braves. On Tuesday, Zimmermann went 7.2 innings, allowing just six hits and a hit batter while striking out six to earn his sixth win of the season.
After the first inning, Miller gave up just one run on four hits and three walks, while striking out a season-high 10 batters. But a struggling Braves’ offense failed to provide any support, as they’ve now scored just 22 runs in the 11 games Freddie Freeman has missed due to injury, according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The story of the night was the debut of two Atlanta relievers, Jake Brigham and Ryan Kelly. Both pitchers each spent nine years in the minor leagues before making their MLB debuts together on Tuesday. They combined to pitch four innings, allowing three hits, one walk and one run, while striking out five.
The series continues Wednesday with Washington starter Doug Fister (3-3, 4.15 ERA) opposing Braves’ rookie Matt Wisler (1-1, 3.75 ERA). The game is schedule to begin at 7:10 p.m.
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