Teheran, Braves hold off D-backs
ATLANTA -- Jace Peterson and Cameron Maybin notched consecutive two-out RBI triples during a two-run third inning that gave Julio Teheran all the support he needed to guide the Braves toward Friday night's 3-2 win over the D-backs.
Teheran surrendered three hits and one run over six innings against a D-backs offense that had totaled 32 runs in its previous three games. The Braves hurler also produced a pair of sacrifice bunts, including one in the fifth inning that set the stage for Maybin to chase Arizona's starter Robbie Ray with a two-out RBI single.
Video: ARI@ATL: Maybin singles in Simmons for second RBI
"Peterson is a guy who sniffs those RBIs and Maybin has been swinging the bat well," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I think we made some great plays defensively and it was nice to get a win."
Video: ARI@ATL: Peterson lines triple to score Simmons
Paul Goldschmidt's two-out RBI double in the sixth inning and A.J. Pollock's eighth-inning RBI single accounted for the only runs tallied by the D-backs, who have now lost 13 of the 16 games they have played in Atlanta dating back to the start of the 2010 season. The D-backs (56-58) also missed a chance to reach .500.
Video: ARI@ATL: Pollock cuts deficit to one run
"Teheran threw well," Pollock said. "We would have loved to have scrapped a couple of more runs and give us a chance there, but we didn't so we come back at it tomorrow."
Video: ARI@ATL: Vizcaino fans Lamb for final out to get save
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Looking like himself again: Though he has consistently fared well in Atlanta, this has been a frustrating season for Teheran. But since moving to the first base side of the rubber earlier this month, he has commanded his fastball on the inner third of the plate, proven more consistent with his slider and found some comfort with his curveball. He notched five of his seven strikeouts through the first three innings and limited the D-backs to one hit before allowing an Ender Inciarte single and Goldschmidt's double in the sixth inning. He has lowered his ERA from 4.71 to 4.44 over his past three starts.
"I feel better," Teheran said. "I've been working really hard. I feel like right now, I'm where I want to be. I've been working for this and just trying to be consistent."
Keeping it close: D-backs reliever Andrew Chafin inherited a mess from Ray in the fifth. With a run in and runners at first and second, Chafin got Nick Markakis to ground out and after intentionally walking Jonny Gomes, he got A.J. Pierzynski to fly out to end the threat and keep the D-backs within striking distance.
"It's a tough game," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "You lose 3-2, guys are battling up there, you've got the tying runs on at points of the game and we just couldn't come through." More >
Video: ARI@ATL: Chafin gets out of bases-loaded jam in 5th
Two-way threat: Maybin improved his batting average with runners in scoring position to .389 (35-for-90) when he drove in a run with both his third-inning triple and fifth-inning single. But the athletic center fielder also made his presence known in the field, when he ended the top of the seventh inning by ranging into right-center field to make a diving grab of Chris Owings's sinking liner. More >
Video: ARI@ATL: Maybin drives in Peterson on triple in 3rd
QUOTABLE
"When somebody gives it to you, you've got to try to do what you can out there. So, thanks to [Padres Hall of Fame announcer Dick Enberg], I've got to go hard out there." -- Maybin, in reference to the Spidey-Maybin nickname he was given during his days with the Padres
Video: ARI@ATL: Maybin lays out to make grab in the 7th
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
With more than 70 percent of the regular season complete, Teheran's splits continue to be baffling. He has produced a 2.44 ERA in 12 home starts and a 6.75 ERA in 12 road starts. He has allowed three home runs in 77 1/3 innings at Turner Field and 15 home runs in 66 2/3 innings on the road.
WHAT'S NEXT
D-backs: Patrick Corbin will get the start for the D-backs on Saturday night at 4:10 p.m. PT. The left-hander, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, will be making his eighth start of the year. He has not allowed a run in 10 innings against the Braves over his career.
Braves: The Braves will counter with Mike Foltynewicz, who will be making his fourth start since being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett in the 7:10 p.m. ET start. Foltynewicz's command improved after he slowed his delivery during last weekend's effective start against the Marlins.
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