Reds at Braves
Julio Teheran authored the best start of his shaky season in a most unlikely venue - Coors Field - in his last start, so the Atlanta Braves hope their veteran right-hander can build off that outing entering Saturday’s home contest against the Cincinnati Reds. Teheran has been awful at SunTrust Park, going 1-8 with a 7.07 ERA in the first season at Atlanta’s new home stadium, but held Colorado to four hits in seven scoreless innings of a no-decision Monday.
The Reds hit three homers in Friday’s 5-3 victory and have 176 longballs on the season, on pace to break the franchise record for most homers in a season (222 in 2005). Cincinnati lost All-Star shortstop Zack Cozart to an injury after he was hit in the left shin with a pitch in the seventh inning. Atlanta center fielder Ender Inciarte has recorded at least one hit in 20 of his past 21 games, finishing 2-for-5 on Friday. The Braves have lost 21 of their past 30 games since reaching .500 on July 16.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Robert Stephenson (0-4, 6.64 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (7-10, 4.98)
Stephenson, who primarily has worked out of the bullpen this season, makes his fourth start. The 24-year-old actually has a better ERA as a starter (5.28) than a reliever (7.43), but has walked 11 in 15 1/3 innings during his three starting assignments. Stephenson, who pitched two scoreless innings of relief in his last appearance Sunday at Milwaukee, gave up one run on two hits over a season-high 5 2/3 innings in his last start Aug. 2 at Pittsburgh in a no-decision.
Teheran has not won at home since beating San Diego in the home opener on April 14, and has surrendered eight runs on 11 hits in 10 innings in his past two home starts. The 26-year-old has surrendered 28 homers in 24 starts - 15 in 62 1/3 innings at home, where he has surrendered a .287 opponents batting average and a 1.59 WHIP. Teheran beat the Reds on June 4 in Cincinnati despite giving up seven runs on 11 hits in five innings, but is 2-6 since that outing.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Braves are expected to activate LF Matt Kemp (hamstring) from the disabled list for Saturday’s game.
2. Cincinnati closer RHP Raisel Iglesias converted his 23rd save in 24 chances Friday, the fourth consecutive outing in which he has recorded a save.
3. Atlanta placed OF Danny Santana on the disabled list Friday with a strained left quadriceps, recalling 2B Micah Johnson from Triple-A Gwinnett.