BOSTON -- Before the Braves fell, 9-4, to the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Wednesday, Atlanta optioned right-hander Ryan Weber to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room for right-hander John Gant.
Gant, the Braves' No. 22 prospect who made his big league debut this season, had appeared in three games spanning three innings for the Braves before Wednesday's promotion. In three appearances, all starts, for Gwinnett, Gant was 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA, giving up six runs on eight hits with seven walks and 18 strikeouts over 14 2/3 innings.
Gant entered in relief of starter Bud Norris on Wednesday with one out, David Ortiz on second base and the Braves trailing by five runs in the second inning. He went 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts.
"Gant did a great job for us right there in the middle of the game and just gave up two runs," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Picked up [4 2/3 innings] of work. Kind of kept us hanging around a little bit, and ... we got within, I think, three runs at one time or four runs at one point, but we just couldn't get any closer."
Gant was satisfied with his performance.
"It felt good," he said. "I thought I did a pretty decent job. Could have done without a couple of those walks, but overall, I'm pleased."
Gant had been scheduled to start for Gwinnett on Wednesday, which helped in this outing, he said.
"I think it probably helped a pretty good deal staying on the same routine," he said. "I'm pretty big on routines and keeping things the same. So I think that's a positive."
Weber had pitched two innings in Tuesday's 11-4 loss to the Red Sox in Atlanta. He was charged with five runs on six hits with one strikeout. In three appearances spanning 7 2/3 innings this season, he has allowed nine runs on 15 hits with one walk and eight strikeouts for a 10.57 ERA.