The Braves offense nor defense backed up Luiz Gohara in his first start of the season.
Gohara lasted four innings, striking out six and walking four in a 4-0 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday. It was the Braves’ first series loss to the Phillies in four opportunities.
Jake Arrieta was brilliant in his first start against the Braves as a Phillie. The righty went 6 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking one.
Arrieta’s dominance against the Braves wasn’t anything new. He faced them four times since joining the Cubs in 2013. He was 3-0 with a 1.63 ERA, striking out 26.
After two easy outs to open the third, Gohara walked Phillies slugger Rhys Hoskins. Odubel Herrera hit a grounder to shortstop Dansby Swanson, who attempted to tag Hoskins rather than take the out at first.
The tag attempt missed, putting two on. Gohara walked Aaron Altherr to load the bases.
Carlos Santana’s softly hit ball drifted towards third base, but Johan Camargo didn’t have a play and Hoskins scored as a result.
The Phillies added another run in the fourth when Cesar Hernandez’s single scored Scott Kingery, who walked earlier in the inning.
Sam Freeman relieved Gohara in the fifth. Altherr walked, and Maikel Franco doubled him home for a 3-0 lead.
The Braves missed two opportunities early. They had a pair on with two outs in the first but Kurt Suzuki flew out to deep center.
Ender Inciarte began the second with a single. Camargo doubled. But Swanson grounded out, Gohara struck out and Ozzie Albies grounded out.
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