Strider shines again, offense goes quiet against Blue Jays

A pitcher’s duel broke out Friday night between the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays, with Toronto sneaking past the Braves, 3-0.

Chris Bassitt and Spencer Strider put on a clinic for those in the Rogers Centre. Strider threw a season-high 110 pitches and struck out 12 batters on Friday. It’s his ninth start of double-digit strikeouts in 28 career starts. 

Bassitt had his best start of 2023 with a complete game shutout with eight strikeouts. It’s the first time the Braves have been shut out this season since April 19th against the San Diego. 

His two earned runs came on a George Springer RBI single in the fifth, and a Danny Young wild pitch plating another in the 7th. 

Daulton Varsho added another run late for Toronto in the 8th with a solo home run off Kirby Yates to center field. It’s the first earned run allowed for Yates since April 22nd.

The Braves offense couldn’t muster a lot of chances on Friday, with the best chance coming in the fifth inning. Eddie Rosario hit a one-out double to extend his hitting streak to nine games, followed by Ozzie Albies getting hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Rosario got thrown out trying to steal third. Atlanta loaded the bases with another hit by pitch and a walk, but Orlando Arcia flew out to right to end the scoring chance. 

The only other Brave to get in the hit column on Friday was Ronald Acuña Jr., who singled in the 6th. He’s now got a hit in eight of his last 10 games. 

Atlanta will try to get back in the win column on Saturday with game two against Toronto scheduled for 3:06 p.m. ET. Bryce Elder will get the ball for the Braves. Jose Berrios will get the start for Toronto.