The Braves’ bullpen ERA ranks fourth-worse in the majors but the relief unit has stabilized after a rough stretch spanning May and the first half of June.
Entering Friday, Braves relievers had allowed a total of six earned runs over a combined 26 innings since June 15 for a 2.08 ERA. They had five saves and one win against two losses and one blown save over that 11-game span.
“They’ve done that because we have rattled off some pretty good starts and put guys in position,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “If one guy comes in and doesn’t do his job, then it affects everybody else. They’ve been good.”
Three of the six earned runs since June 15 were charged to rookie Sugar Ray Marimon in one appearance at Boston. Four Braves relief pitchers didn’t allow an earned run over that stretch: Luis Avilan, Jason Grilli, Jim Johnson and Nick Masset.
Braves relief pitchers had six blown saves and six losses in the first 13 games of June as the bullpen ERA dropped to worst in the majors. Their recent effectiveness improved the bullpen ERA to 4.33 entering Friday, which ranks 26th of 30 teams.
