Miller strong again, but 1st walk sets up tough 7th

ATLANTA -- Bryce Miller unleashed the fastball in a full count and knew he’d lost his day’s final battle. Just as soon, he spun towards first base and twice jumped on the mound in a gesture of self-exasperation, knowing that his first walk in an otherwise brilliant performance would prove costly.

Miller paced to the visiting dugout as Truist Park’s lights went out and the ticketed 40,412 fans on hand roared. It was one of their first chances to do so in nearly two hours, after Miller silenced them by retiring 15 of 16 before the fateful seventh inning.

Because that frustrating free pass indeed came around to score, as did another baserunner he allowed just prior -- which were the first blows in sending the Mariners on their way to a 6-2 loss to the National League-leading Braves on Friday night. From there, the floodgates opened on the bullpen, which underlined Seattle’s more vulnerable state.

Here’s why the seventh unfolded the way it did and the logic that went into the pitching strategy.

Miller was dealing
Atlanta was all over Miller until it all of a sudden wasn’t. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson doubled to the wall to open the game as part of a first inning that saw four balls hit harder than 100 mph. It looked like one of MLB’s juggernauts was on its way to bullying Seattle’s rookie, yet Miller dug in and only allowed one batter to reach from the second through sixth innings.

"We came in knowing the fastball plays up and has a lot of ride,” Braves first baseman Matt Olson said. “So, you've got to get it down and not get too big on it and keep a low line-drive approach. He left a couple up. He left a couple in the middle of the zone in the first inning. But he settled down pretty nicely after the first and finished out the game really strong."

Miller was at 85 pitches, two shy of his season high, but manager Scott Servais’ plan was to deploy the righty for three batters, which yielded a single to Austin Riley, a forceout to Eddie Rosario and the walk to Ozzie Albies.

“We were a little short in the 'pen tonight and were trying to shorten that seventh inning as best we could,” Servais said. “We weren't able to get through it, but I don't want to take anything away from his outing. He gave us absolutely everything he had.”

They’re seeking their latest ‘pivot’ guy
Trevor Gott was first up, and he immediately surrendered a game-tying bloop single on a high-and-in fastball to Marcell Ozuna’s weak spot. The cutter he left up to Orlando Arcia that turned into a go-ahead knock off the wall wasn’t as tough-luck.

It was a pocket normally reserved for Andrés Muñoz, who’s recovering from a right deltoid strain, or Matt Brash, who’s allowed 14 of his 31 batters to reach this month and has been eased into lower-leverage spots. Gott has been far better entering a clean inning, as has Justin Topa, who relieved Gott with two outs in the seventh then gave up three runs in the eighth.

“Everything kind of revolves around getting that first out when you bring the reliever,” Servais said. “It sets up everything else. And when that doesn't happen, now you're kind of up against it a little bit. You've really got to have some things go your way. But it's just where we're at. We'll continue to grind through it and try different guys in that role.”

The Mariners aren’t considering immediate reinforcements for the role, but No. 14 prospect Prelander Berroa, who recently moved to the ‘pen at Double-A Arkansas, will be here sooner than later. Muñoz is still at least a few weeks away.

It was only a matter of time
Friday’s game was probably never going to be won with two runs. Atlanta has been held to only one run or fewer at home once all season, and Seattle struggled to cash in on its one walk, six singles and two doubles.

The Mariners' most traction came in the seventh, when Julio Rodríguez doubled, Jarred Kelenic walked and Eugenio Suárez singled to knock out dealing Braves righty Bryce Elder. Teoscar Hernández then ripped an RBI single to put them ahead, but Taylor Trammell hit into an inning-ending double play.

Seattle also had a costly out on the basepaths when J.P. Crawford attempted to tag up from third base but was cut down by a 90.9 mph heave from center fielder Michael Harris II.