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With the Atlanta Braves having some problems with the back end of their rotation which featured pitchers Eric Stults and Trevor Cahill, the Braves decided to call up highly touted pitching prospect Mike Foltynewicz to pitch Friday night. Stults and Cahill had ERAs of 4.03 and 9.42 respectively and Foltynewicz was slated to pitch because Cahill was used out of the bullpen.
Pitching for the Gwinnett Braves in AAA, ‘Folty’ had an 0-3 record with a 2.08 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 21.2 innings pitched.
Foltynewicz got in a bit of a jam in the top of the first inning giving up a two run single to Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips. The Reds got those two runs in the inning and carried a 2-0 lead up into the fourth inning where they added another run on a sac fly by opposing pitcher Anthony DeSclafani.
It was until the bottom of the fourth inning when momentum started to change and go the Braves way. With runners on first and second and two outs in the inning, Foltynewicz stepped up to the plate and scorched a gapper into left center field scoring both runners and cutting the Reds lead to one run, 3-2.
An inning later in the bottom of the fifth inning, left fielder Kelly Johnson hit a two run home run to the right field bleachers and gave the Braves the lead.
The Braves turned their game to the bullpen and performed great finished off by another save by closer Jason Grilli, his 8th of the season.
Foltynewicz’s final line was: (W) 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO
He also went 1 for 2 at the plate with a double and 2 RBIs.
Overall, Foltynewicz did his job, kept his team in the game, and got the main goal which was to win the game. It will be exciting to see him develop in the majors as he features an electric arm with a fastball that can reach the high 90’s.