Braves relievers struggled earlier this season, but they’ve been so effective lately that they set a record for innings without a hit.
Entering Tuesday’s game against the Pirates, Braves opponents hadn’t recorded a hit in 15 1/3 consecutive innings against the bullpen, a record streak for Braves relievers since the franchise moved to Atlanta in 1966, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The streak began after Josh Collmenter allowed a lead-off single against the Blue Jays on May 18 and then retired the next three batters.
Braves relievers also entered Tuesday with a streak of 20 1/3 consecutive innings with no runs allowed. The longest such Braves streak since 1974 was the 2013 team’s 24 2/3 scoreless innings, according to Stats LLC.
Braves relievers allowed 11 runs to the Mets on May 3 against the Mets to balloon the team’s bullpen ERA to 5.83, worst in the NL. Since then Braves relievers had compiled a 1.70 ERA over 16 games entering Tuesday.
One key for the bullpen’s improvement is the emergence of right-hander Jason Motte as a reliable middle-relief option. Jose Ramirez and Arodys Vizcaino have been consistent for the most part in that role and, entering Tuesday, Motte hadn’t allowed a run in 11 consecutive appearances
Motte was the closer for the Cardinals in 2012 and underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in 2013. The Braves signed him in April after the Rockies released him. Motte allowed two earned runs in his Braves debut and hadn’t surrendered another one entering Tuesday.
“The good thing about him is he’s been in those high-leverage situations many, many times,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It doesn’t even faze him. I watch him and it’s just about getting guys out. He attacks the hitters. It’s a good thing to have down there.”
