Tyler Mahle gave Atlanta six scoreless innings in his first Braves start, even though a late lead disappeared in a 3-2 loss to New York.
Tyler Mahle could not control what happened after he left Friday night, but his first start for Atlanta showed why the Braves added him before the trade deadline, and the reason was clear from the first inning.
Mahle worked six scoreless innings, allowed three hits and two walks, and struck out nine before the bullpen later gave away a two-run lead, leaving him with no decision despite the sharp start.
Atlanta lost 3-2 in 10 innings, yet Mahle still gave the Braves something useful from a difficult night, because the rotation needed another starter who could work deep enough to ease the bullpen's load, and his debut did that.
Mahle Gives Atlanta the Start It Needed
Mahle entered the game with a 5.13 ERA across 94 2/3 innings, then lowered it to 4.83 across 100 2/3 innings with the scoreless start, while keeping New York off the board completely.
Atlanta acquired him from San Francisco for Anthony Molina, and while one outing cannot settle the rotation, six clean innings gave the team a useful first look.
General manager Alex Anthopoulos had identified starting pitching as a deadline priority, so Mahle does not need to become the ace of the staff to help.
If he can work into the middle innings and give the lineup a fair chance, Atlanta can save its relievers for the late innings, especially when the schedule gives the bullpen little time to recover.
Mahle also sounded ready for the move after the game, saying, "They made me feel really welcomed. They have a great group of dudes. It was another day at the office."
Late Lead Slips Away
Austin Riley broke a scoreless tie with a home run in the eighth inning, then Matt Olson added his 33rd homer in the ninth, which gave Atlanta a 2-0 lead with three outs to get.
Olson is now hitting .269 with 33 home runs, and his steady power has helped Atlanta build a 70-46 record, while Riley supplied the first breakthrough on Friday.
Raisel Iglesias could not finish the game, as he allowed three hits, one walk and two earned runs while recording two outs in the ninth.
Austin Wells doubled home the first run, Amed Rosario walked and Ben Rice hit the tying single before Ryan McMahon ended the game with a sacrifice fly in the 10th.
The loss does not erase how well Atlanta had played before Friday.
Chris Sale had expressed confidence in the rotation before the season, and Mahle strengthened that group, but a good start still needs to be finished when the last few outs are close.
The Debut Still Helps the Braves
Atlanta is 70-46 and began the year with an unsettled fifth rotation spot, so Mahle giving the club six scoreless innings is more important than his no-decision, while the Braves need him to protect the bullpen and give the group more depth.
The series continues Saturday at Yankee Stadium, and Atlanta must move past a late loss quickly.
If Mahle keeps attacking the zone and working deep into games, the trade will have answered a real need.
