The Braves’ offense hasn’t had a day as bad as Sunday in a long time, if ever. The Braves managed one hit across two games and were blanked twice by the Diamondbacks, 5-0 and 7-0, in a doubleheader sweep at Truist Park. Both games were seven innings.
Diamondbacks starter Madison Bumgarner was the star of the day, pitching a no-hitter in Game 2. He was preceded by Zac Gallen, who pitched a one-hit shutout.
Here are five takeaways from Sunday:
1. Bumgarner’s start was the first seven-inning no-hitter since MLB implemented the new doubleheader rule last season. He was sensational, holding the Braves to one baserunner. Ozzie Albies reached on an error in the second inning and was erased when Travis d’Arnaud hit into a double play three pitches later. Bumgarner struck out seven and didn’t issue a walk.
While MLB doesn’t acknowledge it as an official no-hitter, there’s already been campaigning for MLB to alter that rule - even from one of the players silenced by Bumgarner.
“I think it’s a no-hitter,” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “I know people aren’t going to take it, but we had a game today, we didn’t get any hits and he pitched the whole thing.”
Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@
Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@
2. Bumgarner was one of two Diamondbacks pitchers to appear Sunday. Gallen was likewise superb in Game 1. His no-hitter was shattered by Freeman’s soft hit in the sixth inning. Gallen struck out six and limited the Braves to three baserunners.
“He moves the ball around,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He doesn’t let you eliminate a pitch. His stuff is good. It’s a good breaking ball, has good depth. I can see why he’s very successful.”
With respect to Zack Wheeler’s stellar start against the Braves during opening weekend, Gallen and Bumgarner might’ve delivered the two best starts against the Braves this season.
Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@
Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@
3. Even so, pick a negative adjective and you’ll probably have described the Braves’ offense Sunday. They had one hit and four total baserunners over 14 innings. The Braves became the 11th team since 1901 to have one or no hits in consecutive games, per Elias.
Snitker summed it up: “It was just one of those days. I can’t explain it.”
4. Braves starter Drew Smyly’s first pitch back from the injured list was deposited into the stands by Pavin Smith for a lead-off homer in Game 2. Smyly’s afternoon didn’t get any better. Arizona scored five runs in the first. It had four extra-base hits, including two homers.
While the outings were separated by an IL stint (forearm), Smyly now has two consecutive poor showings. In his most recent start before Sunday, Smyly allowed five runs in five innings against the Phillies. His overall work Sunday: Six runs (five earned) on six hits in four innings. He allowed three home runs.
5. The Braves had dominated doubleheaders since MLB implemented the seven-inning format last season. They were 7-1 in seven-inning games entering Sunday, including a doubleheader sweep in Washington earlier this season. Drop that record to 7-3.
Stat of the games
1 (The Braves managed one hit across two games Sunday)
Quotable
“I want to say two things and then I’ll go celebrate with the guys: I want to thank these shadows in Atlanta, they helped me out a good bit. That’s pretty awesome. And I want to thank (MLB commissioner) Rob Manfred for making these seven-inning games.” - Bumgarner, ending his post-game interview with Bally Sports Arizona
Up next
The Braves open a four-game series Monday against the Cubs. Charlie Morton will face Zach Davies in the first game. The Braves took two of three from the Cubs in Chicago last weekend.
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