Grant Holmes had two straight outstanding starts leading into Saturday, holding the Yankees and Marlins scoreless. The performances were much needed for a team trying to avoid exhausting its pitching staff by October.
But this time Holmes unraveled against the Diamondbacks — notably a National League playoff contender — and didn’t make it through the fourth inning.
The Braves lost 10-3 as Holmes was charged with six runs on six hits in 3⅔ innings at Truist Park. He also walked three and surrendered a two-run homer on a low-placed slider that Nolan Arenado scooped out.
“Sometimes you just come to the ballpark and you don’t have it,” Holmes said.
There will be overreaction about Holmes’ showing, particularly given how effective he’d been before it, but it only adds to the question of whether he’ll remain a starter for the remainder of the season.
Holmes has been a solid starter, but there’s more to the equation — and youngster AJ Smith-Shawver is looming, giving the team another starting option that could push Holmes to the bullpen if the former is used as more than just a spot starter.
Manager Walt Weiss said after the game that Holmes will make his next start. He stressed how valuable Holmes has been in the rotation and made it clear he doesn’t envision changing his role right now.
“He’s been throwing the ball really well,” Weiss said. “Everyone is going to have a clunker every now and then. Nobody is immune to that. Grant will be all right.
“He’s done a nice job as a starter for us. I think the fact that he’s pitched out of the bullpen before, so people think that’s a natural move or whatever. He’s been a really good starter for us for a while now.”
Weiss said Smith-Shawver joining the club as a reliever “is an option,” but those discussions have yet to take place in depth. Smith-Shawver is in Triple-A Gwinnett, awaiting the call for his second major league outing this season.
In the immediacy of it all, the Braves dropped their second straight to Arizona. It was also the second consecutive evening their offense floundered against Diamondbacks pitching.
The Braves’ offense has managed three runs over 18 innings in this series. Arizona starters Brandon Pfaadt and Eduardo Rodriguez — a duo that’ll be featured in the postseason, should the Diamondbacks maintain their playoff spot — held the Braves to two runs on seven hits in 13 innings. They combined for 12 strikeouts without a walk. The Braves also scored just one in five innings against the Diamondbacks’ bullpen.
A defining stat: The Braves went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position Saturday. That’s also their series total as the team didn’t have anyone reach second base Friday night.
The Phillies trounced the Twins, so they gained a game on the Braves but still trail in the National League East by 7½ games. The Braves have led the Phillies by at least that margin since July 30.
The Braves will try to avoid getting swept Sunday when Bryce Elder (8-7, 4.03) faces former Braves righty Michael Soroka (8-3, 2.92). This will be Soroka’s second time facing the Braves at Truist Park.
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