Tonight’s starting pitcher for the Braves, Jose Suarez, hasn’t been a full-time starter for quite some time. In fact, Suarez, 28, hasn’t started more than 10 games in a single season since 2022, when he started 22 games for the Los Angeles Angels. Suarez started just one game for the Braves last season, so the start on Tuesday night was both a way to see how deep the current rotation is and how much Suarez can help this team early in the season.
And early on in the game, he looked more like a reliever. With the Braves ahead 1-0 following a solo home run by Drake Baldwin, his third home run of the season, Suarez gave up a two-out RBI single to the A’s second baseman, Andy Ibanez, in the second inning before giving up another two runs on a ground-rule double by shortstop Jacob Wilson.
Three runs aside, the first and third innings of the game were perfect for Suraez. He struck out two A’s in the first inning and two A’s in the third inning. The fourth inning, on the other hand, was not so good. Suarez gave up another double, this time to A’s third baseman Max Muncy (the other Max Muncy), and followed that by giving up another RBI single to Ibanez.
The Braves have had issues driving in runs this season. Through five innings on Tuesday night, there were just two runs to show for it. In the sixth inning, Atlanta found a way to put two runners on with walks, but left them stranded as Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II popped out.
The Braves had another opportunity to drive in runs and close the gap in the seventh inning. Following a walk by Dominic Smith, and an error by A’s second baseman, Ibanez on a fielder’s choice, Acuna, Jr. came to the plate with no outs and proceeded to strike out for the second time in the game. Baldwin followed Acuna, Jr. on the lineup card and flew out to left field. Then Matt Olson, with two outs and two runners on, struck out.
The bright side for the Braves was the relief appearance by Martin Perez (0 earned runs in 4.1 innings). The leftie came into the game in the fifth inning and pitched the rest of the game. In the ninth inning, Perez got the final three A’s hitters of the game to fly out and ground out.
After the game, Martin was positive about his appearance tonight. For the first time in at least four years, he’s completely healthy and acknowledged that fact during his postgame press conference.
“I’m healthy, I don’t feel any pain anymore,” he said. “It’s good to go out there and compete for your team.”
His manager was equally positive about the pitching performance and the fact that he only needed to use three pitchers tonight. “Martin did an unbelievable job. He was just what the doctor ordered,” said Braves manager Walt Weiss after the game.
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