Close the books on SunTrust Park season one.
Despite seven innings of one-run ball from Luiz Gohara in his fourth major-league start, the Braves squandered their few scoring chances and fell to the Phillies 2-0 in their final home game of the season Sunday.
The Braves finished 6-13 against the Phillies, their worst result against them since 2008 (4-14). Atlanta was shutout for the 10th time.
Of the young starters on the Braves’ roster, Gohara might have the highest ceiling and he showed why Sunday afternoon. The big lefty made one mistake – Maikel Franco took him deep on the first pitch of the fifth inning – but otherwise exhibited the traits of a frontline starter.
“It wasn’t a bad pitch on the home run,” Gohara said. “It was a good location, he just got in front, got the right spot there to hit the changeup. ... I was controlling pretty good. I just go to work, try to control the zone, pound the zone. Make the adjustment with your command.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker praised Gohara’s mental toughness.
“He really competes,” Snitker said. “It’s fun to watch him. He’s got the strike zone. When you can do that with the quality of stuff he has, you have a chance to be pretty good. ... He stays under control. Has that kind of quiet aggression about him.”
Sunday was Gohara’s longest outing in the majors. He hadn’t gone seven innings since April 21 in High-A. He struck out a career-best nine. He’s walked just two over his last 19 1/3 innings (three starts) after walking four in his debut.
Gohara owns a 2.79 ERA and 19:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in that span.
“These starts here in September, it’s just a heads up, keep working and work on things,” Gohara said. “It’s something to learn from. Just like the starts I had this year in September, I’ll bring next year to spring training.
“I can tell I can compete against the major league guys. Make outs, get pitches. For next year, that’s going to be a big thing for me.”
Gohara became the first Braves rookie since Matt Wisler on Oct. 4, 2015, to go that deep into a game.
“He’s been good every outing,” Braves outfielder Nick Markakis said. “Pounds the zone, makes his pitches up. He’s got good stuff. He’s a big boy on the mound. He’s learning, he’s young and he’s only going to get better.”
The switch-hitting Cesar Hernandez was responsible for three of Philadelphia’s five hits against Gohara. Markakis threw out two of the five runners on assists from right field. He’s the first Braves outfielder to record two assists in a game since Jason Heyward in 2012.
The Braves’ offense, which had 11 runs through the first two games of the weekend set, struggled against Phillies starter Nick Pivetta. He pitched six shutout innings, allowing five hits, striking out four and walking one.
Scoring chances were rare. Kurt Suzuki advanced to second on a Franco error in the second, but Rio Ruiz flew out and Dansby Swanson lined out. With two outs in the fifth, Swanson and Jace Peterson singled. Gohara struck out to end the inning.
Freddie Freeman led off the ninth with a single against Hector Neris. Markakis struck out before Suzuki singled to give the Braves two one with one out. Rio Ruiz and pinch-hitter Matt Adams struck out.
“Right there,” Snitker said. “Had a chance. That’s why I (put in) Matt. One swing of the bat, we’re happy. We gave ourselves a chance again. These guys never quit. They never stop. Just like last night. We had the tying run, winning run at the plate.”
Ender Inciarte had three hits, putting him at 197 for the year. He entered the day tied with Rafael Furcal for the ninth-most hits in a season by a Brave (194, 2003). He has 57 multi-hit games this season.
“He just keeps getting his hits,” Snitker said. “Now he’s down to three left (to 200). But it’s good. He’s having good at-bats. Just relaxed.”
The Braves finish their first season at SunTrust Park with a 37-44 record. They opened Turner Field with a 50-31 showing in 1996, and Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium with a 43-38 record in 1966.
This season marks the first time since 1988-1990 the Braves produced consecutive losing home records. They improved on last year’s 31-50 mark by six wins.
SunTrust Park welcomed 2,505,297 fans over 81 games, a 24 percent increase over last season’s 2,020,914.
