Touki Toussaint is the clear front-runner in the Braves’ rotation-spot derby, but Thursday won’t go on his highlight reel.
In his second start of spring, Toussaint struggled out of the gate, allowing five runs on four hits to the Tigers. He left with a five-run deficit after a single frame.
“It happens. It’s baseball,” Toussaint said. “I threw everything I wanted for strikes. I hit a guy with a breaking ball, walked one, but I felt good. ... I’m trying to get over that (first inning) hump. Today was just one of those days they got me early.”
Toussaint hit the leadoff batter, allowed back-to-back singles, and walked another while a Tyler Flowers passed ball plated the first Detroit run.
Then came former Braves prospect Dustin Peterson, who took Toussaint deep to left for a three-run homer. Toussaint was trying to attack Peterson inside, but left the ball over the plate.
“When he walked up, he tipped his cap,” Toussaint said of his former minor-league teammate. “He got me.”
After three consecutive outs, Toussaint completed the inning in 31 pitches. His velocity was slightly down, but Toussaint chalked that up to it being his first fifth-day start early in spring.
