Braves continue to battle through rough patch
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ATLANTA -- It might not have been as ugly as the other recent losses. But squandering a chance to halt their latest lengthy losing streak just added to the Braves' frustration over the past week.
The Braves saw their starting pitcher complete five innings for the first time in six games. They also received big homers from Marcell Ozuna, Ramón Laureano and Jorge Soler. But none of this mattered as they suffered a sixth straight loss with a 6-5 setback against the Rockies on Friday night at Coors Field.
“I’ve been part of some pretty special teams,” Braves veteran reliever A.J. Minter said. “You’ve got to embrace the suck, just as much as you [embrace the good] when everything is going good.”
This has been one of the roughest stretches ever experienced by a Braves team with legit postseason aspirations. Atlanta went six straight seasons without a six-game losing streak, but they have now endured two since the All-Star break.
The good news: The Braves followed their previous six-game skid (July 20-26) by winning six of their next seven.
The bad news: They have lost each of the six games that have followed.
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More bad news: Going back to 1991, no Braves team has reached the postseason after suffering through two six-game losing streaks in a season. The only years they reached the playoffs after enduring any losing streak of six games or more were 1996, 2001, 2010 and 2012.
Having three Wild Card entries will help the Braves. But they currently trail the Mets by a half-game in the battle for the NL’s final Wild Card spot.
“I’ll say this until I’m done,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We’ve got a lot of time to do something really good. I don’t care if people like hearing that or not. It’s the way I feel.”
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Snitker has maintained a positive approach. What could get worse after being outscored 34-12 while being swept by the Brewers in a three-game series at home this week?
How about being beaten by a couple of pitchers traded to the Rockies in exchange for Pierce Johnson last summer?
The Braves acquired Johnson for Tanner Gordon, who limited the Braves to two runs over five innings, and Victor Vodnik, who notched the save with a scoreless ninth.
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Johnson saw a long, successful stretch end when he struggled against the Marlins on Aug. 3 and against the Brewers on Wednesday. This latest loss came when Minter allowed two consecutive seventh-inning doubles by Benton Doyle and Ryan McMahon. The lefty reliever hadn’t previously allowed two extra-base hits in a game this year.
“It’s been tough,” Braves third baseman Austin Riley said. “There’s no other way to put it. It’s just been tough. It’s feeling like an uphill battle.”
Grant Holmes has added to the wonderful story of reaching the Majors in June after 10 years in the Minors. He’ll continue to be a valuable bullpen piece for the remainder of this year. But his past two spot starts haven’t been as good as his first. He allowed the Rockies five runs over five innings.
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The rotation has been the Braves’ strength throughout the season. It certainly wasn’t this past week, as the bullpen entered before the end of the fifth in five straight games. But Max Fried should be less rusty on Saturday as he makes his second start since coming off the injured list. Spencer Schwellenbach will take the mound on Sunday, looking to add to his strong rookie season.
Next week’s series against the Giants could include starts by Chris Sale, Morton and Ian Anderson. If promoted, Anderson would make his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.
Reynaldo López could come off the injured list in about a week to give the Braves each of their All-Star starters (Lopez, Fried and Sale) in the rotation simultaneously for the first time since the All-Star break.
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These have been dark days, but the Braves have reason to be encouraged by how their roster could strengthen over the next few weeks. Center fielder Michael Harris II should be in the lineup on Wednesday, and Ozzie Albies might return in the first half of September.
“This game is going to test you as a player and test you as a man,” Minter said. “We’re just going to continue to show up to the ballpark every day and just play for the Atlanta Braves.”