Morton's 5 innings crucial to Braves' pitching outlook

CHICAGO -- Charlie Morton’s ability to right himself and complete five innings in a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Cubs on Tuesday night might be the most important, or at least most influential, contribution the Braves receive this week.

“It would have been a huge headache [if he hadn’t],” Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud said. “For him not to have his best stuff and grind it out and figure out how to get outs with what he had was impressive.”

Morton certainly doesn’t want to be lauded for a ho-hum, five-inning outing. But getting Atlanta through the fifth was crucial. Consequently, the Braves feel better about their taxed bullpen over the next few days. And they have a better idea about who might now start Thursday’s series finale against the Cubs and Friday’s series opener in Pittsburgh.

Was Braves manager Brian Snitker thinking about the rest of this week when Morton was at 56 pitches after the Cubs completed their game-tying, two-run second inning?

“Absolutely,” Snitker said. “That’s why him regrouping and going five is huge.”

This was another frustrating night for the Braves, who have lost five of their past six games. They went 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position in this latest loss. Zack Short, who has been forced to play third base while Austin Riley has missed eight games with a tight left side, allowed a routine fly ball to pop out of his glove. Left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer surrendered the game-winning chopper during his second inning of work.

The Braves' offense will eventually begin performing more like it did during last year’s record-breaking season. Riley could return to the lineup within the next couple days and the bullpen will benefit from the decision Snitker made to stay away from primary high-leverage options, who were used during Monday’s doubleheader.

Daysbel Hernández was used with the Braves holding just a one-run lead in the sixth inning. Short’s error led to a run during that frame. But Jesse Chavez and A.J. Minter handled the next two innings as Joe Jiménez and Pierce Johnson got to rest.

The Braves won the 2021 World Series despite entering August with a losing record. They overcame the seven-game division deficit they faced with 40 games left in 2022. They had the NL’s second-worst record from May 10-June 2 last year and still ended up with 104 wins.

So, Snitker certainly understands the value of focusing on the big picture and appreciating the long-term benefits of Morton’s effort.

Morton allowed two runs -- one earned -- during his 94-pitch, five-inning effort. He got through a 27-pitch first unscathed and then surrendered a couple runs during his 29-pitch second.

Thursday’s potential starter, Darius Vines, began to throw in the bullpen near the end of the second. Had he been forced to enter the game, the Braves may have had to call one pitcher up from the Minors to start on Thursday and another one to start on Friday.

The tide turned when Morton needed just seven pitches to complete the third. The 40-year-old hurler totaled just 38 pitches over his final three innings. It wasn’t his prettiest effort, but it was certainly one of his gutsiest.

Most of the Braves’ recent headaches have been pitching related. When Morton lasted just three innings against the Cubs last week in Atlanta, it marked the start of three straight games a Braves starter lasted fewer than five innings.

Reynaldo López and Chris Sale put an end to the starting pitching struggles during Monday’s doubleheader. But the twin bill still put some strain on a relief corps. As for the Saturday rainout that created the need for a doubleheader, it also created the uncertainty about who will start on Thursday and Friday.

López and Sale won’t be available before Saturday. Vines could start Thursday. Allan Winans, Dylan Dodd or AJ Smith-Shawver are candidates for Friday. Ray Kerr was optioned on Monday. So the only way he could start Friday would be if he were brought back up to replace somebody placed on the injured list.

It’s still a lot for Snitker to juggle. But it could have been much worse.

“I’m very aware of this stretch we’re going on with no off-days and the doubleheader yesterday,” Morton said. “But I’m just trying to make pitches and compete.”