Weiss may have a new go-to arm in the bullpen.
The Atlanta Braves dropped to 3-2 on the young season after a 5-2 loss to the Athletics on Tuesday night at Truist Park, but manager Walt Weiss walked away from the game feeling surprisingly good about what he saw on the mound.
Jose Suarez got the start and ran into trouble early, allowing four earned runs in just 3⅔ innings before getting pulled.
He walked a few too many guys, a balk burned him, and the Athletics took advantage with timely hitting that put the Braves in a tough spot they could not dig out of.
The loss gave the 1-4 Athletics their first win of the season after getting swept by Toronto to open things up.
Perez Steps Up in a Big Way
What made the night worth talking about, though, was what happened after Suarez left the game.
Martin Perez came in and threw 4⅓ scoreless innings of long relief, allowing just two hits while striking out three on only 47 pitches.
Atlanta desperately needed that length given how short Suarez's night went, and Weiss did not hold back when talking about it afterward.
"Martin did an unbelievable job," Weiss said. "He was just what the doctor ordered."
Weiss went on to explain that the bullpen was running thin heading into the game, which made Perez's outing even more valuable than the box score suggests.
"We had a couple guys down tonight and we weren't going to pitch, we were limited out there [in the bullpen]," Weiss said. "Martin was just what the doctor ordered."
That efficiency kept the Braves from burning through arms they are going to need during a grueling 13-game stretch to start the season with no off days.
Weiss even called it a "game-saver" despite the loss, pointing out that only three pitchers were needed for the entire game.
Joel Payamps, who allowed a solo homer to Shea Langeliers in the fifth, was the only other arm used.
Suarez Stays in the Mix
Despite the rough outing from Suarez, Weiss was not ready to write off the lefty.
When asked after the game if he expected Suarez to remain available for the next time through the rotation, his answer was short and direct.
"Oh yeah, yeah I do."
That vote of confidence matters because Atlanta is still trying to figure out how to fill its fifth rotation spot with Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep out long-term following elbow surgeries and Spencer Strider dealing with an oblique issue.
Both Suarez and Perez are in the conversation for Sunday's start against Arizona, and Weiss said he would let the next few days play out before making that call.
Braves Pitching Flying Under the Radar
And look, even with the loss, Atlanta's pitching staff has been quietly impressive through five games.
Chris Sale threw six scoreless innings on Opening Day, Bryce Elder blanked the Athletics across six frames in his first start of the year, and the bullpen has been solid outside of a couple hiccups.
Heading into Wednesday's series finale with Sale on the mound, the Braves have a chance to take the series and get right back on track.
For a team that lost multiple rotation arms before the season even started, that pitching depth is quietly becoming one of the better early-season stories in baseball.