Pérez runs into first hurdle of his young career

ATLANTA -- As Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez watched from the dugout railing as Bryan Hoeing struggled to contain the on-fire Braves lineup in Friday’s series opener at Truist Park, he knew what he was going to be up against.

Hours before the toughest challenge of Pérez’s young Major League career, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. pondered whether that would affect the rookie in his Saturday start.

“It's not unnatural for thoughts to play through him,” Stottlemyre said. “I'm really hoping today that he put his blinders on. One of the best lineups in baseball, it's deep in terms of damage. We've still got to attack and get in good counts, because they're going to look at it from over on that side that it's going to be a challenge for them, too.

“You're looking at arguably one of the best starting pitchers in baseball, a guy that's equipped with incredible weapons that is still young in the mind, young in terms of experience, but has met all the challenges that have been in front of him, and he's handled them well.

“So I personally love it. I really do. I love it for him. I love playing clubs like this. If we're going to get to where we need to get, this is a great test. And with tests like this, they'll let you know deficiencies and things that you need to get better at and create challenges and work, so I'm looking forward to it.”

Unfortunately, Pérez wasn’t immune to the Braves’ dominance of their National League East rival in a 7-0 loss. Miami has dropped eight of nine to Atlanta and has been outscored 77-26 in the season series.

In his first start since graduating from prospect status, Pérez surrendered six runs and recorded just one out on 35 pitches. Atlanta notched six straight hits before Pérez’s first and only out.

“They're great hitters, really good batters,” Pérez said via interpreter Luis Dorante Jr. “They were practically ready for every pitch that I had for them. You've got to understand that there's also going to be bad days like today, and then you've got to get better in that situation and get ready for that next outing.”

Pérez became the second pitcher in franchise history to allow six-plus earned runs and get one or fewer outs in a start, joining Carl Pavano (June, 27, 2003). Marlins fans will remember it: A 25-8 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Earlier this week, Miami returned to the scene with a sweep of Boston during the 20th anniversary of that game.

The 20-year-old Pérez had gotten off to one of the best starts to a Major League career in the history of the game, posting a 1.34 ERA -- fifth lowest in the Expansion Era (since 1961) through nine starts.

Pérez also entered with 21 consecutive scoreless innings -- the longest active streak in MLB. NL MVP frontrunner Ronald Acuña Jr. quickly ended that with a leadoff homer on a hanging slider. Ozzie Albies followed with a liner over the right-field wall.

“He's a superstar,” Acuña said. “We've been watching him pitch against other teams. Today just didn't go as well for him."

Here’s a tale of the numbers comparing Saturday to Pérez’s first nine starts combined:
• 6 ER in 1/3 IP vs. 7 ER in 47 IP

• 7 H vs. no more than 5 H in a start

• 5 XBH vs. 16 XBH

• 4 H on slider vs. 8 H

• 3 H with RISP vs. 2 H

• 2 HR vs. 1 HR or fewer in every start since Opening Day

Looking at the heat map, Pérez missed his targets with pitches in the middle of the zone rather than the corners. As his pitch count continued to climb, manager Skip Schumaker knew he would have to pull him. The organization already is monitoring Pérez’s pitches and innings.

“This was going to happen eventually,” Schumaker said. “He wasn't going to go scoreless the rest of his career. If he does good, it's a learning experience. If it gives up six in the first, it's a learning experience. This is the game, and it's hard, and I've said it before, as soon as you think you have it figured out, something's going to happen.

“I think he's strong enough personality wise, a really mature 20-year-old. He'll look at it, learn from it, and go attack his next bullpen and be ready for his next start. That's what really good pitchers do, and I think he's a really good pitcher, and that's what we're hoping for.”