MILWAUKEE — Braves relievers Gus Scholosser and left-handers Ryan Buchter and Ian Thomas all had their first day in a major league uniform Monday, and both Schlosser and Thomas debuted in the seventh inning.
Schlosser had a particularly impressive showing, facing four batters and recording five outs.
Thomas debuted by coming in to start the seventh to face a pair of left-handed batters, getting a leadoff groundout by Lyle Overbay before Scooter Gennett singled through the right side of the infield. Schlosser entered the game at that point, and the sidearmer induced an inning-ending double play grounder by pinch-hitter Rickie Weeks.
Schlosser stayed in to pitch a perfect eighth inning, including a strikeout of Carlos Gomez to start the inning.
The three rookie relievers are part of an eight-man bullpen the Braves are using until they add starter Ervin Santana, probably on April 12, at which point the team will revert to its usual five starters and seven relievers.
“That’s why they’re on the team,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzale said of the solid debut by the pair of relievers. “They showed that characteristic in spring training. Schlosser came in and got the ground-ball double play, and that why we wanted him in the bullpen, he gives you a little different look, a sinkerballer.
“And Thomas gets to face the two lefties. He hung a breaking ball on Scooter, but other than that, I thought first game, throw them in the fire, they did a terrific job.”
Gonzalez said closer Craig Kimbrel already told him the veteran relievers planned to purchase two more Little Pink Pony backpacks so all three rookies would have one to wear to the bullpen before each game. That’s become a Braves bullpen tradition, making a rookie reliever wear that little kids’ accessory.
The relievers were the only three players on the Braves’ 25-man roster to have never suited up for opening day in the big leagues.
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
