The Braves’ faith in a 20-year old was rewarded Monday. It feels that’s been the theme of 2018, an unlikely and historic reality that has shaped the team’s trek to first place.
Fresh off a gut-wrenching sweep to the Rockies, the Braves persevered through their 1-0 win in Pittsburgh. As usual, the team aptly responded after a potentially demoralizing sequence – at least for an evening. This time they did it against the Pirates, a team bordering on desperation mode.
Bryse Wilson, 20 years old and pitching in his first major-league game, opposed Chris Archer. Archer was the prize of the trade deadline, a thought-to-be ace who needed a change of scenery.
Archer was mostly average, throwing four innings before leaving with left leg discomfort. The Braves managed five hard hits off him, including back-to-back hits from Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis that plated a run in the first.
But Wilson appeared as the seasoned veteran. He had dominant innings, such as his first, when he struck out the first two and got a soft grounder. He had frames when he navigated trouble: Wilson faced a two-on, one-out situation in the fifth as Sam Freeman readied in the bullpen. He wheedled a double play from slugger Corey Dickerson to finish his night.
“I just went out there and tried to make the best pitches I could,” Wilson said. “Put the team in the best position to win. I was able to stay composed by thinking that.”
The Braves have seen a pair of encouraging debuts this season – Mike Soroka mowing down the Mets and Touki Toussaint dazzling the Marlins – but Wilson’s, while the least anticipated, might have been the best.
He attacked hitters. He pitched around mistakes. His fastball sat in the mid-90s. His changeup and slider were more than satisfactory complements. The Pirates were a game over .500 coming in, knowing every game matters if they’re going to make a final push for the playoffs. Wilson embraced the opportunity to diminish their hopes.
“That was about as good as it gets,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He carried himself like I expected. A lot of confidence. You wouldn’t know he’s 20.”
Wilson almost collected his first hit, but Gregory Polanco lasered a ball from right to first, beating Wilson’s feet. Such was the bats’ luck Monday, even with the favorable result.
There were chances to nurture the early lead. Kurt Suzuki and Ender Inciarte doubled in the second and third innings, respectively, but the Braves left empty handed. Ronald Acuna opened the fifth with a double, yet was thrown out attempting to swipe third with two outs. Johan Camargo singled to start the next frame only to be followed by an Ozzie Albies double play.
Camargo and Albies reaching in the eighth was squandered when Suzuki’s liner drilled pitcher Kyle Crick and he still made the throw to first. The Braves finished with 10 hits, plus a walk and hit batter, but plated only a run.
Pittsburgh had its chance in the seventh. Dickerson singled with two on, but Ender Inciate fired the ball to catcher Kurt Suzuki, who made a quick tag on Adeiny Hechavarria at the plate. The Pirates challenged but the call, and the Braves’ 1-0 lead, stood.
“I knew they were going to run with contact,” Inciarte said. “When I got a good hop, I was going for it and I made an accurate throw, so good thing I was able to cut him off right there.”
The Braves bullpen pitched one of its better games recently. Dan Winkler got the save with A.J. Minter sidelined with back tightness. Minter is day-to-day, Snitker said.
