Category: Sports

When the Braves traded Andrew Albers to the Mariners for cash considerations on Aug. 11, he was viewed as a Minor League journeyman who didn’t fit within an Atlanta rotation, which at the time was being anchored by an impressive form of Mike Foltynewicz.

Given a chance to face his former organization at SunTrust Park on Monday night, Albers was not overly dominant, but he proved to be much more efficient than Foltynewicz as he helped the Mariners stay in the thick of the American League Wild Card race with Monday night’s 6-5 win over the Braves.
“I was thankful for the opportunity I got [with Atlanta] and them making the trade to get me here with this opportunity,” Albers said. “It was nice to go out there and give the team a chance to win. Whether it is against them or anyone else, right now with the [Wild Card] race, wins are big.”
Despite committing four errors, the Mariners won for the fifth time in their past six games, and pulled to within a game of the second AL Wild Card spot. The victory was aided by Yonder Alonso’s three hits, two of which were run-producing doubles.
“I thought he threw the ball well and got it going back and forth with the changeup,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “We didn’t do a lot defensively to help him out. It created some longer innings and pitch counts, but we tightened up the defense.”
Foltynewicz seemed to be establishing himself as a legitimate frontline starter, but he has allowed at least five earned runs in four of his past five starts. The Braves’ right-hander struggled to control his breaking pitches as he allowed five of his six runs through the first four innings. Ozzie Albies highlighted his two-hit night with a two-run triple during a three-run sixth that brought the Braves to within one run.
“It’s probably more mental than mechanical [for Foltynewicz],” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s free and easy throwing. He’s aware of it and he’s working hard at it. But it’s easier said than done. When you’re standing on that hill and all of the attention is on you, it’s a different place. But it’s not something he can’t work through. It’s a tough stretch right now, but I believe in him.”
Foltynewicz began to unravel in the fourth as he hit Leonys Martin with a pitch and issued a two-out, four-pitch walk to Jean Segura. After an errant pickoff attempt at second base moved both runners up, Alonso followed with a two-run double. The veteran first baseman added another double in the sixth inning that ended the night for Foltynewicz, who has allowed 26 earned runs over his past 22 innings (five starts).
“When you get hit around out there like that multiple times in a row, it definitely does something to your confidence,” Foltynewicz said. “But it’s a game where you have to forget about things. I have in the past, but it’s tough when things like this keep happening.”
Mariners catcher Mike Zunino thwarted a couple of late rallies with his strong arm. Zunino’s strong throw to second base in the seventh inning left Brandon Phillips unsuccessful in each of his past three stolen-base attempts. Ender Inciarte singled to begin the ninth, but with one out and Freddie Freeman at the plate, he too, was thrown out attempting to steal second base.
“We know [Inciarte] is one of their better runners and Edwin Diaz did a good job throwing a couple picks over there to keep him close,” Zunino said. “We just had to be on our toes and ready to make a throw.”
Lucas Sims will take the mound when the three-game series resumes Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. CT. Sims earned his first career win on Thursday as he allowed two runs over five innings at Coors Field.

The Nashville Sounds cracked a pair of home runs and got a bright pitching performance from Ben Bracewell in a 7-0 win over the Iowa Cubs in front of 8,119 fans at First Tennessee Park Monday afternoon.
Joey Wendle started the scoring early when he launched a three-run homer into The Band Box in the bottom of the first inning. It was Wendle’s eighth home run of the season and snapped a Sounds skid of 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Nashville added a run in the second when Melvin Mercedes singled up the middle and Jaff Decker perfectly placed a double down the left field line to bring in Mercedes and make it 4-0.
The early offense was more than enough for Bracewell who notched his fourth win of the season. He scattered four hits and shut out the Cubs over six innings. The right-hander didn’t issue any walks and struck out five.
Iowa threatened in the fourth when Mike Freeman and Bijan Rademacher collected singles, but Bracewell buckled down and struck out Jacob Hannemann to end the inning.
Nashville sent nine to the plate in a three-run sixth inning. Renato Nunez got it going when lined a pitch into left-center and hustled into second with a leadoff double. After a walk and a wild pitch, Nunez raced home on a sacrifice fly by Yairo Munoz.
Matt McBride followed Munoz with a two-run rocket down the left-field line that found the seats in the Hyundai Deck. McBride’s 10th home run of the season gave Nashville a comfortable 7-0 lead.
A trio of Nashville relievers kept the Cubs off the board the rest of the way. Felix Doubront worked around a pair of hits in the seventh, Josh Smith struck out two in a scoreless eighth, and Lou Trivino worked a perfect ninth to secure the win.
Franklin Barreto went 3-for-5 in the win while Decker and Nunez added two hits apiece. The top four hitters in the lineup combined to go 8-for-14 for Nashville.
The series finale between Nashville and Iowa is scheduled for Tuesday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Daniel Gossett (4-4, 3.66) starts for the Sounds against left-hander Rob Zastryzny (1-2, 6.57) for the Cubs. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Alontae Taylor of CHS football

Opening the season before a full house at Franklin County, it would be understandable if the Coffee County Red Raider football team experienced some jitters.  Those were realized early as Coffee County fumbled on the opening play of the game.  That jumpstart was just what Franklin County needed as they went on to spoil Coffee County’s season opener 34 to 8.

That opening fumble was the first of 4 turnovers for the Red Raiders on the night which helped give the Rebels a 62 to 25 advantage in offensive plays for the game.  Additionally, Franklin County held a 3 to 1 time of possession advantage of 37:48 to 9:56.  Coffee County was held to 115 yards of total offense for the game as the ball control offense of Franklin County rolled up 270 yards of offense including 155 yards rushing.   Coffee County was led by senior Alontae Taylor who rushed 10 times for 80 yards.  On defense, Taylor also had a sack as he earned the Crazy Daisies Player of the Game award.

The Red Raiders are back in action on Friday as they play host to Tullahoma in the annual Coffee Pot Game.  Tullahoma is coming off a win in Shelbyville on Thursday night.  The game will also be featured a part of the Great America Rivalry Series for the 3^rd year in a row.  Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you all the action.  We begin our coverage with the Friday Night Thunder Pregame Show at 6 PM.  Lucky Knott and Dustin Murray will bring you all the action from Carden-Jarrell Field beginning at 6:45 and after the game, tune in to the Friday Night Thunder Scoreboard Show.

You can download a podcast of all the Coffee County football broadcasts by going to www.wmsrradio.com/downloads

Ethan Welch(left) and Jacob Rutledge(right) celebrate after their race on Saturday night as each finished in the Top 4.

The Coffee County Middle School and Coffee County Central High School cross country teams opened their 2017 seasons in Murfreesboro on Saturday night. Competing in the “Siegel 2 Mile Under the Stars,” each team competed well in front of a crowd of over a thousand spectators.
The highlight of the night came in the boys’ middle school race as Jacob Rutledge covered the 1.5 mile distance in 8:22 to capture first place overall. Teammate Ethan Welch captured 4th place with a time of 8:40. Other Red Raider harriers and their times were:
Ethan Beaty – 9:27
Brayton Anderson – 10:11
Bradley Escue – 10:14
Clayton Bryant – 11:23
For the Coffee County Middle School Lady Raiders, Greenlee Woods had the top time as she completed the race in 10:09. That time was good enough for a 7th place finish in her heat. Haley Sherrill ran the race in 12:45.

Emily St. John(left) and Sarah Pearson(right) prepare to begin their race on Saturday night.

For the high school Red Raiders, Bradley Kishpaugh posted the best time as he covered the 2 mile race in 11:06. Other Red Raider harriers and their times were:
Neil Slone – 11:58
Larson Meltzer – 11:58
Renato Garcia – 12:05
Andres Cavalie – 13:00
Jacob Melton – 13:22
Eric French – 15:03
For the Coffee County High School Lady Raiders, Sarah Pearson had the top time as she finished 7th in her heat with a time of 13:18. Trava Brown posted a time of 14:16. Other Lady Raider harriers and their times were:
Emily St. John – 14:42.
Shelby Watkins – 17:00
Zoe Mills – 17:44
Keisheal Norton – 20:35 .

Both teams will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Smyrna to compete in the Voyles Classic. The race will be run at Sharp Springs Park and the first races are set to get underway at 8 AM.
To see full results from Saturday, go to the meet website at: http://tn.milesplit.com/meets/267456/results#.WZojp_l97IV

Written & Recorded by Darryn Strickland

Saturday August 19, the Southern Middle Tennessee Football Association went to Warren County to compete in the annual Jamboree. Due to the amount of teams each game consisted of two 10 minute quarters with a running clock.

The Peewee Raiders went up against Franklin County’s Rebels. Where Kaleb Morris led the team with over 70 yards and a touchdown also Hayes Shemwell rushed for over 60 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders played a good game, but fell short in a 14-13 loss.

The Div 1 Raiders lost a tough game to the Rebels with a score of 21-0. Gavin Smith and Kaleb Leonard led the team with most yards rushing.

The Div 2 Raiders were led by Gabriel Hambly with over 40 yards rushing, and a touchdown by Logan McClanahan the game ended in a 6-6 tie with the Rebels.

Finally, the Div 3 Raiders lost a hard game 27-0 to the Rebels. On offence, Jacob Barlow led the team in rushing, with Nico Sanfilippo, Johnathan Akers, and Jacob Barlow leading the defense. “Those three boys were all over the place”, said the Div 3 Raiders Head Coach Lawrence Phillips.

Next Saturday, August 26, the Raiders travel to Shelbyville to go against the Eagles in their season opener. The games will be held at the Shelbyville Central High School located at 401 Eagle Blvd, Shelbyville, TN 37160. Game times are as follows: Peewee at 10 AM, Div 1 at 11:30 AM, Div 2 1 PM, Div 3 2:30 PM. Make sure to come out and support our Manchester Raiders as they start their 2017 season.

Thanks to Nathan and Nicholas Helms for their help in compiling stats for this story.

Marcus Mariota was sharp.

Derrick Henry was stout.

Titans coach Mike Mularkey gambled, and his team’s defense forced some key turnovers, early and late.

It all added up to a 34-27 win for the Titans over the Panthers on Saturday at Nissan Stadium.

It was a big improvement from the previous week, when the team turned in an underwhelming performance in a loss to the Jets.

“It was a good win,” Mularkey said. “I just told the team that it was a good win for a lot of reasons. The offense responded from last week and really the defense started off the game (well). I was really pleased with our special teams, we’re better in that phase right now and we’ll keep getting better.

“A lot of good things to learn off of it.”

The Titans did a lot of things right this week, including forcing a pair of early turnovers to set up a scoring barrage right out of the gate before a sun-baked crowd just two days before the eclipse shades the city.

“We just wanted to start fast,” Titans cornerback Logan Ryan said. “(Former Titans linebacker) Tim Shaw gave a speech to us the other night about being in the moment, and if you’re in the moment you can take advantage of your opportunity.

“… But that’s what we expect. We had a really good week of practice, and we really had a good training camp. Last week it may not have showed, but today it showed, which is encouraging.”

Mariota was good from the get-go. The Titans quarterback completed 6-of-8 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown – a four-yard completion to tight end Delanie Walker – before being replaced by back-up Matt Cassel in the first quarter. Mariota played two series.

Mariota connected with rookie receiver Taywan Taylor on a 20-yard pass across the middle on the first play of the game. On the next play, he ripped off a nine-yard run to his right.

Completions to receiver Tre McBride (for 21 yards) and tight end Jonnu Smith(six yards) put the Titans on their way, and set up a 34-yard field goal from kicker Ryan Succop to make it 3-0. Mariota later connected with Walker in the corner of the end zone.

“It was a lot better,” Mariota said. “I thought we came out fast, made a couple big plays, were able to go down and score. The defense got a huge, huge turnover. For us to go down and score after that was big. We’ve just got to continue to build this momentum, build the foundation and get ready for the season.”

The Titans opted to sit running back DeMarco Murray, which allowed Henry a chance to start again, and make plays. Henry rushed for 36 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, including a 17-yard run which gave the Titans a 17-0 lead late in the first quarter.

Mularkey was aggressive in this one. The Titans went for it on fourth down three times in the first half converted all three, including once on a fourth-and-goal from the one – that’s where Henry scampered on for his second touchdown run, which made it 24-7 late in the second quarter.

The Titans set the tone early with big plays on defense.

Ryan forced a fumble on Carolina’s first offensive play of the game, and safety Kevin Byard pounced on it.

Later, Titans linebacker Justin Staples intercepted a Derek Anderson pass that was tipped by linebacker Jayon Brown. The Titans cashed both turnovers in for scores.

“As a whole defensive unit, I think we came out here and accomplished what we wanted to accomplish,” Searcy said. “We were able to get turnovers, and give the ball back to our offense.”

Titans rookie Adoree’ Jackson excited the crowd with a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown, but it was called back because of a penalty.

After the Titans led 24-10 at the half, the Panthers scored twice in the third quarter, sandwiching a pair of touchdowns around a 50-yard field goal by Succop. The Panthers tied the score at 27-27 late in the fourth quarter on a Graham Gano field goal.

A huge defensive play set up the game-winning touchdown, a three-yard run by running back David Fluellen with 1:55 left. Fluellen’s touchdown run came after defensive lineman Jimmy Staten recovered a fumble caused by linebacker Aaron Wallace. Staten pounced on the ball at the 3, and Fluellen, who ran for 76 yards on the day, punched it in.

“It was great, to be able to help the team,” said Staten, who played at MTSU. “I was rushing and saw the ball pop out, and I hopped on it.”

The Titans face the Bears in preseason game No.3 next Sunday at Nissan Stadium.

After helping Braves’ starting pitcher Sean Newcomb escape a pair of bases-loaded threats at SunTrust Park on Sunday afternoon, catcher Tyler Flowers ensured Cincinnati relief pitcher Drew Storen would not encounter the same good fortune. Flowers’ grand slam off Storen highlighted a six-run fifth inning that allowed the Braves to cruise toward an 8-1 win over the Reds.

While Newcomb managed to work out of trouble numerous times through five stress-filled scoreless innings, Storen allowed four runs on the first four pitches he threw. Storen replaced Luis Castillo, who struck out eight through four innings, and proceeded to retire just one of the first seven batters faced. The big blow came courtesy of the second career grand slam for Flowers, who has accounted for 11 of the 24 home runs he and backup catcher Kurt Suzuki have combined to hit this season.
“I told Suzuki today it’s hard to keep one of you in there because you’re both doing so well,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s good to see and Tyler did a really good job [catching Newcomb]. We really needed that one. It was good to get it like that because it was good to be able to stay away from some guys in the bullpen today.”
Newcomb managed to keep the Reds scoreless and notch his first career home win despite issuing four unintentional walks and allowing nine of the last 17 batters faced to reach safely. The rookie southpaw produced one of the two defensive gems needed to escape the bases-loaded threat in the third inning. He induced a Jose Peraza double-play groundout and then left them loaded again in the fifth when his outing concluded with Scooter Gennett’s flyout.
It didn’t look like the Braves were going to have much fun when Castillo struck out six of the first nine batters faced. But after the rookie hurler was limited to 90 pitches over four innings, Brandon Phillips greeted Storen with one of his three singles and Freddie Freeman followed with a ground rule double on the next pitch. Nick Markakis was intentionally walked before Flowers drilled a 1-0 slider a projected 405 feet into the left-field seats.
“In that situation, I was trying to hit a fly ball to right,” Flowers said. “It was a good approach to have off that guy. He’s a fastball, slider guy. If it was a fastball, I was trying to hit a fly ball to right to get the guy in and get the guy over for the next guy behind me. It was offspeed, so I just caught it out a little bit in front.”
It appeared Newcomb was in trouble when a Peraza walk set the stage for Joey Votto to come to the plate with one out and the bases loaded in the third inning. Votto was robbed of a potential extra-base hit when his liner was snared by second baseman Ozzie Albies’ leaping grab.
This gem was trumped moments later when Newcomb rushed toward Adam Duvall’s slow roller, dove to the ground and managed to provide an accurate flip to first base to record the out.
Flowers’ grand slam was the third hit by the Braves this season and the first recorded at home by an Atlanta player since Evan Gattis damaged Vance Worley with one during a May 22, 2013 game against the Twins at Turner Field. The Braves tallied six slams on the road in between these two most recent hit at home.
Mike Foltynewicz will attempt to halt his recent struggles when Atlanta opens a three-game series at home against Seattle on Monday at 6:35 p.m. CT. Foltynewicz has allowed at least five earned runs in three of his past four starts.

The Iowa Cubs used four multi-run innings to thump the Nashville Sounds 9-1 Sunday night at First Tennessee Park. The loss for the Sounds evened the season series with Iowa at seven games apiece.
The I-Cubs pounced on Zach Neal and the Sounds early and often. Iowa tallied multiple runs in three of the five innings Neal pitched for a total of seven runs. Iowa added a pair of runs off Patrick Schuster in the sixth inning to complete their scoring.
Nashville’s struggles with runners in scoring position continued Sunday night with a second straight hitless performance in that situation.
In the opening frame Chesny Young lined a one-out base hit to left field to send Neal into the stretch. Two batters later Taylor Davis served a fly ball that sent right fielder Mark Canha drifting back and crashing into the wall. Canha crumpled to the ground as Davis rounded the bases for an inside-the-park home run.
Nashville cut Iowa’s lead in half in the second inning when Chris Carter deposited a laser line drive beyond the left field fence but that would be as close as the Sounds would get.
Iowa added three runs in the fourth and two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull away from the Sounds for good.
Sam Moll and Lou Trivino shut Iowa down for the remainder of the game but the damage had already been done. Moll tossed a pair of shutout frames while Trivino chipped in with a scoreless ninth inning.
Carter and Franklin Barreto each notched multi-hit games but it was not enough to spark any rallies.
Joey Wendle’s leadoff single in the sixth inning moved him into sole possession of sixth place on the Sounds all-time hits list with base hit number 426 in a Nashville uniform. Up next on the list is Caleb Gindl with 435.
Game three of the four-game series is scheduled for Monday afternoon at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Ben Bracewell (3-2, 6.25) starts for Nashville and Iowa counters with right-hander Seth Frankoff (2-7, 3.99) First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.

The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club returns home Saturday, August 19 to begin the final homestand of the 2017 season – a 12-game, 13-day stretch at First Tennessee Park.

The longest homestand of the season welcomes the Iowa Cubs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, for four games from August 19-22. After a team off day on Wednesday, August 23, the Sounds welcome the Round Rock Express, the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, for four games from August 24-27. The 2017 home slate concludes with a four-game series against the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, from August 28-31.

Below is a preview for each game of the homestand:

Monday, August 21 vs. Iowa – 4:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 3:00 p.m. for the game.
• Joey Wendle Red Alternate T-Shirt Jersey Giveaway to the first 2,000 fans.
• Kroger Plus Monday – Buy a “Family 4-Pack” that includes 4 Select section tickets, 4 hot dogs & 4 fountain sodas for $44 when fans show their Kroger Plus card at the Sounds Ticket Office. The “Family 4-Pack” is available for advanced purchase only – subject to availability.

Tuesday, August 22 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday Night Live – Join us for A League of Their Own Night as we celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the baseball classic.
• Dueling Pianos are set to provide music at First Tennessee Park throughout the night.
• $1 Slice Night presented by Hunt Brothers Pizza. Visit the Hunt Brothers van along the right field concourse and grab a slice while supplies last.

Thursday, August 24 vs. Round Rock – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Aug-Tober Fest Boot Stein Giveaway presented to the first 2,000 fans (21 and older) presented by Brauer Material Handling Systems.
• The Sounds are striking out hunger with Second Harvest Food Bank. Every fan that donates a non-perishable food item will be entered to win a personalized Sounds jersey. The food drive runs from August 24-28.
• Throwback Thursday presented by Budweiser – the Sounds will wear throwback jerseys to commemorate the team’s original uniform style from 1978. Fans can purchase Coca-Cola fountain soda and Budweiser draft beer specials for $2.

Friday, August 25 vs. Round Rock – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• FOX17 post-game fireworks presented by Koorsen Fire & Security. Enjoy the fireworks with a custom country music playlist.

Saturday, August 26 vs. Round Rock – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Faith and Family Night presented by Trevecca Nazarene University & WAY-FM – Join the Sounds for a night of worship and baseball with player testimony. Awaken and North Point InsideOut provide the music during a pre-game concert at the Fun Zone with gates opening for the festivities at 5:30.

Sunday, August 27 vs. Round Rock – 6:35 p.m.

• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Pre-game autograph session with select Sounds players from 5:35-5:50. In addition, the Sounds promo team will host the coloring station for children to color baseball posters and sign up for on-field games.
• Military Sunday presented by Piedmont Natural Gas and Tennessee 811– The Sounds extend their military appreciation with special military green jerseys and discounted Corner or General Admission tickets for active and veteran men, women and families – subject to availability.
• As part of the final Sunday home game, the Sounds will host an in-park, online, and mobile auction for all military green jerseys.
• Post-Game Kids (ages 12 & under) Run the Bases presented by First Tennessee.

Monday, August 28 vs. Omaha – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Music City Monday Don Mattingly Bobblehead Giveaway to the first 2,000 fans.
• Kroger Plus Monday – Buy a “Family 4-Pack” that includes 4 Select section tickets, 4 hot dogs & 4 fountain sodas for $44 when fans show their Kroger Plus card at the Sounds Ticket Office. The “Family 4-Pack” is available for advanced purchase only – subject to availability.

Tuesday, August 29 vs. Omaha – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• In conjunction with several Metro Nashville departments, community partners, and the Tennessee Titans, the Sounds have collaborated on a Public Investment Plan (PIP) to purchase two mobile lactation units which will be used at Sounds games, Titans games and events, and other Metro events. The groups will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the pods prior to the game. Speakers from the Mayor’s Office, Metro Public Health Department, and Metro Sports Authority will participate in the program.
• Tuesday Night Live – It’s the Sounds Choice Awards as select Sounds players and fans will receive season awards throughout the night.

Wednesday, August 30 vs. Omaha – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• College Night – Belmont University/Nashville Sounds hat giveaway to the first 1,000 fans presented by First Tennessee.
• Seniors (60 and older) receive discounted Corner or Select tickets – subject to availability.

Thursday, August 31 vs. Omaha – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• The final home game of the 2017 season concludes with a post-game fireworks celebration.
• Throwback Thursday presented by Budweiser – the Sounds will wear throwback jerseys to commemorate the team’s original uniform style from 1978. Fans can purchase Coca-Cola fountain soda and Budweiser draft beer specials for $2.

The 2017 season is the Sounds’ 40^th in franchise history and their third as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

Scooter Gennett’s ninth-inning grand slam off Jim Johnson provided the Reds the cushion they needed to overcome a monstrous Matt Adams home run and preserve Robert Stephenson’s encouraging effort in Saturday night’s 11-8 win over the Braves at SunTrust Park.

“It is a crucial time whenever you get runners out there on the bases,” Gennett said. “In that situation, we were up three and to just get some more insurance is huge. Just how the game ended out, it ended up being a big moment.”
Scott Schebler delivered three hits in his first start since being sidelined with a left shoulder strain three weeks ago and Stephenson came off the disabled list to allow just two runs (one earned) over five innings. But when Adams drilled a three-run homer off Blake Wood that traveled a projected 405 feet directly down the right-field line, the Reds were fortunate to have widened their lead in the ninth, when Johnson, Atlanta’s recently demoted closer, surrendered Gennett’s third grand slam of the season.
“We’re just trying to find a spot to get him in to get him right because he’s too good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Johnson, who has an 8.78 ERA over his past 16 appearances. “It’s not happening for him right now. You’ve just got to keep battling through it because we need him because he’s one of those guys who never turns the ball down.”
Schebler, who was in the lineup for the first time since straining his left shoulder on July 30, singled during a three-run fourth inning and doubled during the sixth inning against Julio Teheran, who was plagued by some defensive misfortunes as he allowed five runs (four earned) over six innings. Stephenson allowed two runs (one earned) and three hits as he completed five innings in his first start back from the disabled list.
“It was a little hit-and-miss and [Stephenson] had to battle,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “He had guys on base each inning and nothing came easy. He had to make pitches, and there is something to be said about that from a command standpoint.”
Former Red Brandon Phillips highlighted his two-hit night with a third-inning leadoff homer and produced a couple of defensive gems while handling his new third-base role. Kurt Suzuki added a two-run homer in the seventh. But the Braves were unable to overcome Teheran’s early damage and Gennett’s decisive slam.
Teheran created a brief scare when he fell to the ground with the indication he’d been hit on the left hand with a pitch while pulling back on a sacrifice bunt attempt in the second inning. Home-plate umpire Jim Reynolds ruled the pitch hit the bat and the call stood after the Braves requested a replay review. Teheran struck out on the next pitch.
Teheran struck out four of the first six batters he faced, but started to falter after Adam Duvall doubled with one out in the fourth. After Gennett walked, Eugenio Suarez lined a slider to center that took an unusual turn in the outfield grass and eluded Ender Inciarte. Suarez advanced to third base on the play and scored when Schebler followed with a line-drive single that deflected off the glove of Ozzie Albies, who was playing on the infield grass.
The Braves were staring at a manageable three-run deficit when Jason Motte entered to begin the seventh. But the Reds quickly created a much more comfortable lead as Joey Votto scored Jose Peraza from first base with a double, then scored on Gennett’s sacrifice fly.
“Those runs they got [against the bullpen] can hurt you, especially when you mount a rally like that,” Snitker said. “We thought it was going to be the greatest comeback in the sport.”
Luis Castillo takes the mound against Atlanta at SunTrust Park as the series concludes at 1:35 p.m. ET Sunday. Castillo has a 2.48 ERA in six road starts and has recently incorporated a two-seam fastball to his pitching repertoire.
Sean Newcomb will oppose Castillo in the series wrap. Newcomb’s fastball command has been better during his past two starts and he has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his past five outings.