The Braves’ home-run drought reached 14 games, matching the longest streak in their Atlanta history. “Especially when they need to count, with guys on base and in scoring position”. The long-time Oriole has played 156 career games against the Red Sox, third most among active players (Alex Rodriguez 257, Robinson Cano 169).
Advertisement
Any real concerns about Price’s start should definitely be put aside.
Boston (12-10) had won four in a row, and had a chance to vault into first place in the American League East with a victory.
But as Price’s career numbers bear out, he tends to start seasons going up-and-down before settling in as the weather warms up. “There have been signs of increased arm strength as we’ve gotten through some starts here”. Atlanta has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. “It’s not fun right now”.
It’s bad enough to be the pitcher who gives up five runs to a team that hasn’t scored more than four in a game since April 19.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said his lineup lacks home-run hitters. But I’ve never seen a knuckleball go sideways.
Coming off an eight-run shelling in his previous outing, Boston’s prized offseason acquisition overcame a shaky start to Tuesday’s game, eventually holding Atlanta scoreless from the fifth through eighth innings after surrendering two runs through the first four frames. Betts moved to second on a passed ball, but both runners were stranded by a strike out from Bogaerts and a groundout from Ortiz.
Andrew Cashner (1-2) gave up six runs – three earned – four hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings. The sox improved their record to 12-9, and now sit a half-game behind Baltimore for first place in the division.
The Sox did manage to get one back in the bottom of the third on doubles from Xander Bogaerts and Hanley Ramirez, but after surviving hard contact in the third, Buchholz couldn’t survive a leadoff walk in the fourth, eventually allowing Erick Aybar to come in to score a fourth Atlanta run. Smith, 6-for-44 when he came up, hit a ground-rule double that wound up costing the Braves a second run on the hit. To make room, they optioned right-hander Ryan Weber to Gwinnett.C A.J. Pierzynski, who spent part of his career with the Red Sox, singled in the second inning Wednesday night for his 2,000 career hit. He holds a 4.91 ERA in just 3.2 IP this season, and may not be far from loosing his job to Robbie Ross, if he hasn’t already.
Red Sox: RHP Carson Smith, on the 15-day DL with a right flexor muscle strain, is targeted for back-to-back appearances with Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday and Saturday.
Ranking 29th in runs, Atlanta has earned 69 this season.
Entering Wednesday, 60 players in the majors had more homers than the Braves’ total, and 102 had at least three. Not a single Atlanta hit had cleared an outfield fence since April 10. Pitching matchups for tonight are Atlanta RHP Bud Norris (1-3, 6.75 ERA) against Boston RHP Steven Wright (1-2, 1.40). He also had allowed opposing hitters to compile a. 992 OPS over his past three starts.
Advertisement
Buchholz saw his ERA rise to 6.51 and was the losing pitcher in Boston’s 5-2 loss to the Braves. The righty was unable to pitch a hitless inning allowing another run in the 6th.
