ATLANTA -- Pirates rookie right-hander Bubba Chandler likely won’t forget the lesson he learned against an MLB-best Braves club that he grew up cheering for: Good teams take advantage of free bases.
The 23-year-old who grew up in Bogart, Ga. (about 60 miles east of Truist Park), entered Sunday’s 3-2 loss to Atlanta in the second inning as a bulk pitcher after Mason Montgomery opened the game with a scoreless first inning.
Chandler, who was drafted by the Pirates in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft, retired 15 of the first 17 batters he faced and allowed just one hit over that span to help Pittsburgh maintain a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh.
Oh, how quickly things can change in the Majors.
Just minutes into the bottom of the seventh, Chandler was out of the game, and the Braves had a 3-2 lead, which the hosts held onto as they handed the Pirates their third sweep of the season.
After Dominic Smith reached on a Tyler Callihan throwing error, Austin Riley struck out on three pitches and Chandler issued walks to Mike Yastrzemski and Jorge Mateo to load the bases with one out.
That set the table for Michael Harris II, who entered the game as a pinch-hitter. Pirates manager Don Kelly pulled Chandler in favor of reliever Evan Sisk. Two pitches into Sisk’s outing, Harris raked a bases-clearing double.
That closed the book on Chandler (2-7) who allowed three runs (two earned) on one hit with two walks and seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings.
“I think coming in from the bullpen is a lot different,” Chandler said. “There’s a little different adrenaline. It was overall pretty good. I just can’t let stuff affect me. My best pitches beat those hitters that I walked. I was not happy about that. I’ll move on.”
Kelly was frustrated with the loss and the sweep, but he was encouraged by Chandler.
“I thought it was the best he’s thrown the ball,” Kelly said. “[He was] efficient. He threw strikes there until that last inning. I thought with multiple pitches, the fastball command was much better.”
The Pirates announced Montgomery as an opener a couple hours before Sunday’s 1:35 p.m. first pitch.
“We just thought it was a good opportunity to get [Montgomery] in there and have him go through the lineup and get Bubba in down towards the bottom, so when we come back through multiple times, he’s not facing the top of the order,” Kelly said.
For the first time in his 13 appearances this season (12 starts), Chandler entered from the bullpen.
“I trust whoever makes those decisions,” Chandler said. “[Montgomery] came in there and had a little trouble, but I got out of it and gave me a good pocket in the lineup to get going with. I think that kind of sparked the rest of the outing against a good team. It sucks we got swept, but we’ll see them again and it’s on to the Dodgers.”
Command has been an issue for Chandler, whose 14.7% walk rate is one of the highest in the league (6th percentile).
For the most part, Chandler pounded the zone on Sunday, with 56 strikes thrown over 88 pitches.
“I went out there not thinking about anything,” Chandler said. “We all try to make the perfect pitch. Hung sliders don’t get hit sometimes, good sliders do. It’s a weird game. I just accept the fact that whatever happens, happens. I gave up some hard-hit balls and I gave up some weak-hit balls that got caught. I just kind of let a couple things affect me in the [seventh] inning. There’s no reason to let that stuff affect you.”
Chandler faced 20 batters and delivered 13 first-pitch strikes.
“I think on the year, my first-pitch strike [rate] has been pretty good,” Chandler said. “When I do throw first-pitch strikes, I usually don’t walk people. I’m probably throwing about 70% first-pitch strikes this year. Those 30% [non]-first-pitch strikes led to walks.”
It was the second time Chandler has pitched on an MLB mound in his home state. Chandler helped the Pirates earn a 3-1 win over the Braves on Sept. 27 last season, as he allowed one run on four hits over 5 2/3 innings.
“I love Georgia,” Chandler said. “It’s special pitching against any Major League team, but definitely [moreso against] the team you grew up rooting for.”