The Braves’ five-game winning streak was snapped Friday in their return to SunTrust Park.
Ronald Acuna’s and Jose Bautista’s home debuts were spoiled in a 9-4 loss to San Francisco. Acuna went 0-for-4, while Bautista went 1-for-4 with a hard-hit double off the centerfield wall in the first inning. Bautista cleanly handled his three opportunities at third base.
Starter Mike Foltynewicz was tagged with six runs in the second inning after the Braves jumped ahead 2-0 on Freddie Freeman’s two-run homer in the first.
Here’s what the Braves said after the loss:
Manager Brian Snitker:
On Folty’s outing:
“He just had a hard time making pitches in that inning. Just got out of control there and couldn’t stop the bleeding.”
Did he let his emotions get the best of him at times?
“Maybe a little bit. I liked the way he came back and got us through five innings. He made an adjustment. We got back in the game there for a little bit and he got us through five. So that’s better than having to cover five with the bullpen.”
As good as the offense is, this acts as a reminder it still comes down to pitching?
“Yeah. That’s the reason why we had that little run (winning streak) there. Our starting pitching was really good. You’re going to have games like that, innings like that. He’d been pitching really good. Just one inning of the season right now. He’ll bounce back and be fine.”
How’d Bautista look?
“He looked alright. I liked the play at home. He was just inches away – I don’t know that he had another play there. That was a good decision on his part, I thought. He made plays and I thought he looked alright.”
Starter Mike Foltynewicz:
On his start:
“I was just disappointed in myself. Big game, needed a win, great crowd. We were on a little roll and just that one inning was tough. They put up a six-spot. I wish we could’ve given up maybe just four in that inning. It would’ve been a great ballgame. But putting up a six-spot is really hard for this offense to come back and score some runs, even though they’ve been pounding the ball lately. It’s just difficult from that standpoint. But putting up five innings, that’s something positive we can take out of it.”
On his slider:
“They just weren’t swinging at it, period. Or if they did it was right over the middle of the plate. They knew what to do with it. … It’s tough when they take away that one pitch, and that was the slider. I couldn’t really do much with it and I wasn’t throwing it for strikes.”
Did you let your emotions get away from you a little bit?
“Not really. It’s one of those things where I could’ve ended that game 2 2/3 innings and gave up more runs than that. Just positive to come out of that with getting five innings out there. Like I said, the old Mike would’ve been struggling there just to get out of the inning. So the emotions get the best of me. I’m a pitcher out there trying to win a game, so if the emotions get the best of me, then so be it.”
On getting through five innings:
“I love it. For (Snitker) to have that kind of trust in me, as a starting pitcher, he’s seen me grow up ever since I got with the Braves. So it’s awesome to see that.”
Catcher Tyler Flowers:
On Foltynewicz:
“Yeah, definitely that (erratic). Off-speed flattened out over the zone. A lot of yanks and high-arm misses and stuff. Sometimes people can make that adjustment quickly and sometimes it takes a little bit. I thought he showed a lot of maturity to even go five in that game. I think the old Folty might’ve been out of there sooner. Still a lot of positives to be had.”
On Foltynewicz finishing five innings:
“I think it says more about the ability to make an adjustment mid-game. Throw some competitive pitches, get ahead of some hitters. The stuff’s there for sure. It’s just the consistency. As everyone says, this game’s about adjustments. That includes pitchers in the midst of outings, innings or even at-bats. To be able to quickly identify things to get back to where they want to be, to be able to execute pitches.”
Thoughts on Bautista?
“Looked good. I saw him when I was doing my rehab starts (with Triple-A Gwinnett). He made a few plays even in those couple games where I’m running to backup first and I stopped running because I didn’t think he was going to get him. He made a couple really nice plays today. But the rehab starts, I saw him over there and he can play. He’s an athlete.”
How much can his bat help the offense?
“He didn’t even get that ball that well and it almost went out to the deepest part of the park. He’s a good hitter. He’s a professional hitter. He’s got an idea out there. Today was a good day for him to get a hit out of the way, hopefully settle in and be the guy we’re used to seeing.”
