Max Fried had an overall quality performance through 6 innings of work. Unfortunately, the Atlanta Braves would suffer a loss on Tuesday evening after the bullpen allowed runs in bunches.
The Atlanta Braves offense provided yet another entertaining game for fans at SunTrust Park. The young trio of Ronald Acuna Jr., Johan Camargo, and Ozzie Albies provided most of the offensive production Tuesday evening.
The youngsters accounted for 5 of the Braves 6 runs scored.
Atlanta carried a 5-2 lead into the 7th inning. Unfortunately, this lead would not hold for long as the bullpen surrendered 4 runs in the inning to give the Diamondbacks a 6-5 lead.
Ozzie Albies hit a clutch home run in the bottom of the 7th to tie the game at 6 runs apiece.
After that home run from Albies, the bullpen continued to struggle to keep runners off base.
A.J. Minter allowed 3 earned runs in the top of the 9th to seal the win for Arizona. It’s safe to say that this bullpen is going to lose the Atlanta Braves a few games this season if these inconsistencies continue.
#Braves manager Brian Snitker on his bullpen's struggles on Tuesday night: "Hope it's just a one-night thing. We'll know down the road, but they've been pitching really good." pic.twitter.com/OGdTVQryhL
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) April 17, 2019
Here are 3 things to talk about after this meltdown:
3. Max Fried not as sharp as his last outing
While Max Fried didn’t seem to have his best stuff on Tuesday (well… we’re comparing last night to virtual perfection from previous outings, so…), he still managed a quality outing for the Atlanta Braves. Max completed 6 innings of work allowing 2 earned runs on 7 hits and struck out 3 batters.
Now, I know those aren’t numbers that are going to blow anyone away but they are still good. Even better, Fried only walked 1 batter and allowed 0 home runs while on the mound. He is starting to show the ability to be a star for Atlanta.
#Braves' Fried outstanding once again: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K. Threw 62 strikes in 98 pitches. Those are the first runs he's allowed all season in 19 2/3 innings, and both could easily have been unearned.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 17, 2019
His ERA currently sits at a ridiculous 0.92 and while that likely won’t last all season, it’s pretty impressive for Max to come in pitching better than guys like Julio Teheran and Kevin Gausman. I have a feeling this is going to be a breakout year for the 25 year-old southpaw.
In fact, let’s take a quick look at the list of pitchers with the best ERA’s in the National League right now (as starters):
- Joe Musgrove (0.89)
- Max Fried (1.00)
- Luis Castillo (1.46)
- German Marquez (2.00)
- Chris Archer (2.00)
- Jake Arrieta (2.25)
- Trevor Williams (2.45)
- Tyler Mahle (2.65)
- Patrick Corbin (2.84)
- Ross Stripling (2.92)
- Madison Bumgarner (3.12)
Second best in the NL? Yeah – that’s something we’d take. Unfortunately, his mates in the bullpen couldn’t hold that lead on Tuesday.