Braves rookie pitcher Blair struggles with control

Right-hander Aaron Blair is among the top-rated prospects in the Braves’ organization and he showed off his potential during his first three big-league starts.

But Blair struggled with his control against Phillies on Thursday. He couldn’t make it out of the fourth inning while allowing four runs (three earned) in the 7-4 Braves defeat.

“The ball, especially to the left-handed hitters, just kept running away from the strike zone right from the very beginning,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “He just never got it going. Breaking ball was almost nonexistent and his change-up, which is his second-best pitch, he couldn’t control that either.”

Even with the control issues Blair allowed just one run through three innings. His troubles began in the fourth when he walked Ryan Howard to lead off the inning.

The next batter, lefty Freddy Galvis, hit a high fly ball that carried into the stands in right field for a home run. Blair retired the next two batters before pitcher Vince Velasquez and Peter Bourjos hit back-to-back singles. That prompted Gonzalez to replace Blair with left-hander Eric O’Flaherty.

Blair threw 46 strikes among 77 total pitches and allowed six hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

“In the bullpen stuff was going well,” Blair said. “I just maybe tried to be too fine with the first batter of the game, and it kind of took off from there.”