After struggling in his 2018 debut, Sean Newcomb pitched a gem, leading the Braves to a 4-0 victory on Sunday over the Colorado Rockies.
Sean Newcomb pitched six scoreless innings for the Atlanta Braves this afternoon, striking out nine and limiting the Rockies to only five hits. The welcomed surprise came in the walks category, as Newcomb did not walk one batter. Newcomb has always shown flashes of painting the corners, but has struggled mightily with command, walking 57 batters last year in only 19 games last season.
After allowing three hits in the first inning, Newcomb settled down and retired 16 batters in a row. Newcomb was brilliant until exiting in the seventh inning after allowing two hits.
The youth movement kept on moving as Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies came through with two RBI’s, adding an RBI double (which bounced over the fence in Left Center) and a solo homerun. After showing off his glove and arm in Saturday’s game, Albies showed why many have placed him as ‘1-B’ to Acuña’s ‘1-A’ in the Braves youth.
Dansby Swanson and Nick Markakis also had solo shots to provide the other two runs in the Braves victory.
The Newk Notes
But the plaudits for Newcomb were coming from all around:
First walk-free game for #Braves' Newcomb in 21 MLB starts
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 8, 2018
Newcomb has retired 13 straight since allowing consecutive one out singles in the first inning. He has six strikeouts and six groundball outs through five scoreless.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 8, 2018
Today @SeanNewk became only the third pitcher in the history of Coors Field to go 6+ IP, with no runs allowed, 9+ Ks and no walks. The others: Jon Gray in 2016 and Randy Johnson in 2007. #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/F9vtFCbJ2k
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 8, 2018
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Okay, sure: this comes after a poor first start that gave Newcomb a 10.38 ERA and lasted just 4.1 innings. However, this is also his best major league start ever and having that happen at Coors Field against a buff offense like the one Colorado puts on the field is not without merit.
This is the kind of start that can be a springboard for his confidence going forward.
On top of the raw numbers, there’s another gem of note:
- Bot 3rd: fly out to left field
- Bot 4th: Pop out to first base
That’s it… exactly 2 outs recorded via fly balls of any kind. Everything else was via a grounder or strikeout. And of the hits allowed, exactly two were described as ‘line drives’. It was an impressive performance.
Well done, Mr. Newcomb.
Coming Up!
The Braves (6-3) will travel to Washington to face off in another road series against the Nationals (4-4). The Braves have won two of three games in each series thus far, and will look to continue their momentum this week.
Next: ...and they shoulda won another!
Games this week: WASHINGTON Mon/Tue/Wed @ 7pm, 7pm, 1pm; Cubs Fri/Sat/Sun @ 2:20pm each day.