Mike Foltynewicz’s gems were bookends for the Braves’ week, affording the bullpen needed rest.
Foltynewicz pitched seven innings and allowed one run Sunday, and put forth a complete-game shutout in his encore Friday night.
His latest outing gave the bullpen a much-needed night off. It pitched 21-2/3 innings this week without any off days. That includes 7-2/3 innings in Monday’s doubleheader vs. the Mets.
“It’s been a grind this week,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We knew coming in it was going to be a rough week, and it has been. So that was good to get those guys a day.”
The unit pitched at least three innings in every game before Foltynewicz’s shutout. A day after the doubleheader, the Braves required five innings from the bullpen after Anibal Sanchez’s shorter start.
Bullpens commonly draw the ire of fans, and while the Braves’ group has made for some stress, it’s been among the more stable groups in the game.
The Braves have blown five saves this season, tied for third-fewest in MLB. The team is 24-1 when leading after six innings and 27-1 when ahead after eight.
When the starter lasts through the sixth, the Braves are 19-6. They’re 6-1 in the fewer occasions when the starters pitch through seven.
The Braves will have a day off June 7, between the Padres and Dodgers series in California.
