Rookie reliever Brandon Cunniff held right-handed batters hitless in 26 at-bats before Wednesday, the longest such streak by a Braves pitcher to begin a career since at least 1974, according to STATS, Inc.
It was also the third-longest such streak by any major leaguer at the outset of his career since 1974, as far back as that particular stat was kept by STATS, Inc. The longest was 33 hitless at-bats by Royals pitcher Bob McClure in 1975.
Cunniff entered Wednesday with a 2.31 ERA and .057 opponents’ average in 14 appearances, with just two hits (one homer) and three runs allowed in 11 2/3 innings, though he did have seven walks to go with 11 strikeouts.
The walks have been the only blemish for the first-year Brave, whose opponents’ average is the lowest in the majors among pitchers with at least 10 innings. Cunniff and teammates Luis Avilan were tied for fifth-lowest percentage of inherited runners allowed to score among National League relievers at 7.7 percent (1 of 13 apiece before Wednesday).
Left-handers were 2-for-9 against Cunniff with one homer, one walk, five strikeouts and a .300 OBP before Wednesday. Meanwhile, righties were 0-for-26 with six walks, six strikeouts, two double plays grounded into, and a .182 OBP.
He got to 0-for-26 by righty batters when Martin Prado grounded out with runners at first and third base to end the sixth inning of a 5-3 Braves win at Miami.
