The Atlanta Braves set a new franchise record for walks in a game in a 7-1 loss to the Washington Nationals Saturday afternoon at SunTrust Park. Atlanta issued 14 free passes eclipsing the previous record for a nine-inning game.
Adam Eaton draws a four pitch walk with two down in the 9th. It's the 14th walk issued by #Braves pitchers, a new franchise record for a nine inning game. @680TheFan
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) September 15, 2018
The Nationals struck early against Julio Teheran plating a run in the top of the first on a single by Juan Soto. The Braves answered in the bottom half as Ronald Acuña Jr. singled and then advanced to third on an errant pick off attempt by Jeremy Helickson. Acuña came home to tie the game on a sacrifice fly by Freddie Freeman.
Washington scratched out another run in the fourth against Teheran and the Braves were lucky that it wasn’t much more. Teheran issued four walks in the inning including one with the bases loaded that scored Soto to put the Nationals back in front 2-1.
That would be the end of the line for Teheran who allowed just three hits, two runs and struck out seven over four innings but issued six walks.
After a scoreless inning in the fifth, Washington struck for three more in the sixth against Touki Toussaint who was making his first relief appearance. Toussaint walked four in the inning and gave up run-scoring hits Eaton and Anthony Rendon to push the lead to 5-1.
The Nationals tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the seventh and eight. Pitcher Jefry Rodriguez singled home William Difo off of reliever Luke Jackson in the seventh. Mark Reynolds brought home Soto in the eighth with a double off of Max Fried.
Arodys Vizcaino walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth which was his first appearance since July 11 due to persistent shoulder issues.
Nationals starter Jeremy Hellickson left the game after three innings when he injured his wrist while swinging. Rodriguez replaced him and fired 4.2 hitless innings of relief.
Atlanta’s lead in the NL East drops to 7.0 games pending the outcome of the Phillies/Marlins game later tonight. The rubber match of the series will be on Sunday with Sean Newcomb getting the call for the Braves against Tanner Roark for the Nationals.