The Braves offense was lifeless against Michael King and the San Diego bullpen on Monday night, losing 1-0 to drop their second game in a row.
It was more of the same for Grant Holmes, who labored through 4 2/3 innings. He hung a slider to struggling Manny Machado in the fourth inning that was rocketed over the center field wall for San Diego’s lone early run. Holmes issued five walks and struck out four, including back-to-back walks in the fifth that prompted Walt Weiss to remove him from the game. Credit to Weiss and Didier Fuentes, who entered the game and promptly struck out Gavin Sheets to keep the deficit at 1-0.
Holmes ought be in the bullpen. I’m just not sure what other options the Braves have given the current state of things.
The Braves had the leadoff runner on a handful of innings against King and Co., but they were unable to get a run across despite numerous opportunities. There was a hack-at-everything approach on Monday night, which obviously did not work. They also hit a half-dozen rockets at center fielder Jackson Merrill, who caught them all.
The series will continue tomorrow night from Petco Park with JR Ritchie hoping to right the ship after a rough start against the Giants last week. Ritchie will be opposed by To Be Announced, a daunting opponent. First pitch will be half an hour earlier at 9:40 p.m. ET and will be carried by BravesVision.
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