One key to the Braves’ sweep of the Mets this week was that their starting pitchers didn’t leave the game as early as Braves starters had been leaving.
A big question for Friday’s series opener against the Giants is whether Mike Foltynewicz can keep the trend going and pitch into the seventh inning.
Entering the series against the Mets on Tuesday, Braves starting pitchers had averaged 5.4 innings per start. Then came the Soroka-Newcomb-Teheran combo.
Those three pitchers combined for 20 innings pitched (6.67 per start). One big reason for their longevity was how few walks they issued.
Mike Soroka made his major league debut Tuesday night at Citi Field and allowed one run in six innings. He threw only 80 pitches and issued no walks.
Sean Newcomb cut down on his walk total and had a strong outing Wednesday night. He walked one batter in seven innings. This came after he walked 14 in his other 27-2/3 innings this season.
Julio Teheran took a no-hitter into the seventh inning Thursday before he gave up two hits and issued his second walk of the day, but he got out of the inning with the Braves’ shutout intact.
The three combined for 20 innings, 19 strikeouts, 10 hits, one earned run and three walks.
Here’s how the three starters fared in New York:
Tuesday
Soroka, 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 80 pitches
Wednesday
Newcomb, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 97 pitches
Thursday
Teheran, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 96 pitches
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