Julio Teheran’s endured his share of criticism throughout what has, to this point, been a mediocre season amid his team’s first-place worthy success.
Teheran answered the call Saturday, but the usually dependable Jesse Biddle did not. As a result, the Braves fell short against the Brewers, 4-2, one of their top National League competitors. The pair’s winning percentage was separated by .003 entering the night.
Christian Yelich reached on Biddle’s error to start the eighth. Lorenzo Cain singled before Mike Moustakas’ double scored both, ending the Braves’ bid to secure a series win before their sellout crowd of 40,297.
Biddle allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits in just 1/3 of an inning. He had a 1.87 ERA and held the opposition to a .158 average over his past 29 appearances.
“He’s not going to be perfect,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s been really good, but you can’t expect him to be perfect.”
Teheran allowed two hits over six innings, with no Brewer crossing home after the first. It was an encouraging outing from a player who’s not always been at his peak on the SunTrust Park mound, and was facing a team with the power to magnify his walking problems.
The right-hander entered the night having issued 61 bases on balls this season, the fifth-highest total in the majors. He’d walked at least four in his past two starts, and exhibited more command troubles in his last start in New York.
“All my pitches were working besides the first inning ...” Teheran said. “If I’m able to make adjustments, like I did today, it’s good. My slider was thrown more in and all my pitches were good.”
Despite two hit batters, Teheran’s control stabilized after the first frame, an area in which he owns an 8.22 ERA (versus 3.50 in other frames). He walked only two while striking out six. Ryan Braun’s RBI-single serving as the blemish.
“That’s a deep lineup,” Snitker said. “That’s a really potent offense. That’s a tough game to lose but I really liked how Julio went about it.”
Even more promising have been Teheran’s last four starts at home. He’s earned a 1.88 ERA across 24 innings in that span.
Ronald Acuna hit a line-drive homer in the Braves’ first at-bat, evening the score. Acuna has hit seven homers, two of them to start a game, since moving to leadoff after the All-Star break.
The old-faithful duo of Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis was responsible for the second run. Freeman doubled off Wade Miley in the fourth, and Markakis chased him home when a ball bounced off first baseman Eric Thames’ glove. It was ruled a single and RBI for the Braves’ All-Star right fielder.
Freeman rounded third at the aggressive command of third-base coach Ron Washington, whose mindfulness at the position has been paramount in the Braves’ newfound baserunning prowess. Freeman just beat the throw to the plate.
Yet it was undone by Biddle, a rarity that filed in the “happens” category. As the Braves have searched for the best (and freshest) ensemble of bullpen arms, Biddle has developed into arguably their most reliable option.
“It’s just one of those days where (Biddle) came out and threw strikes,” catcher Kurt Suzuki said. “They just hit them. You have to tip your hat sometimes. Biddle’s been great.”
It was the first time since June 27 the bullpen blew a save that led to a loss. Biddle left without speaking to the media following the game.
The Nationals beat the Cubs 9-2, while the Phillies had an early lead in San Diego as the Braves wrapped up. The Braves, winning seven of their past 11, were tied with the Phillies atop the NL East entering the day.
Sean Newcomb takes the hill Sunday as the Braves try for a series win. He was shelled for five runs in 3 2/3 innings earlier this season in Milwaukee.
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