The Pitchers’ Duel That Wasn’t

2 of 3

Jul 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager

Fredi Gonzalez

(33) walks to the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field. The Phillies defeated the Braves 4-0 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the Bullpen’s Fault?

The parts of the Braves Bullpen that have been dependable were dependable again today. Luis Avilan took over for Miller in the seventh with Hamels on first after a sacrifice bunt turned into a fielder’s choice.

Avilan enticed Herrera into a hitting a bloop popup to right that most expected to fall for a hit but Markakis came out of nowhere to make a diving catch. Hernandez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jim Johnson pitched the eighth and gave up a leadoff single but that was the all the Phillies could muster and Jason Grilli pitched a three hitter, three strikeout ninth. After the Braves failed to deliver in the bottom half extra innings meant a bullpen game.

The Rest of the Bullpen

The arms left in the bullpen were David Aardsma who pitched 1 2/3 innings last night, Jake Brigham who pitched an inning last night, Dana Eveland who pitched to and retired Ryan Howard last night and Nick Masset.

Since arriving in Atlanta Masset’s been a conundrum. He has a good outing then looks like he has no idea where the strike zone is. That’s reflected in a 4.70 ERA, 1.500 WHIP and 5.63 FIP with seven walks and 16 hits in 15 1/3 innings entering today’s game. Those numbers are not the kind you want to rely on in a situation like the one Gonzalez faced.

More from Tomahawk Take

I’m sure he’d have preferred to use Aardsma but last night’s outing make him the last resort. Brigham was a starter in the Minors and after throwing an inning last night Gonzalez didn’t want to use him either. That left Eveland and Masset.

Eveland’s been used as a LOOGY since arriving, a role that doesn’t fit his stuff and the hitters coming up were right handed so Gonzalez went to Masset. Two singles and a walk later the bases were loaded with Ryan Howard coming to the plate and Eveland got the call.

Howard struck out last night against Eveland but today all Howard had to do was look for a ball he could lift for a sacrifice fly and he did just that. That run gave the Phillies the lead. Brigham came in and allowed three more runs to score, one belonged to him and the other two charged to Masset. Jonathan Papelbon came on ad flushed the Braves away quietly in the bottom half to end the game.

Next: Changes

Home/Braves News