The Atlanta Braves enter Tuesday’s home contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates after several players came through with big offensive performances in Monday’s 13-7 victory, but nobody needed a boost more than Nick Markakis. The veteran right fielder, who entered the week hitting just .186 since May 7 with seven RBIs, finished 4-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs - including the 1,000th of his career - as Atlanta pulled into a tie with first-place Philadelphia in the National League East.
Markakis’ big night highlighted a strong offensive output for the Braves in the opener of a 10-game homestand, as second baseman Ozzie Albies homered twice and center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. belted a grand slam to lift Atlanta to 19-9 in its past 28 games. The Pirates chased the Braves for most of the night in the opener after starting pitcher Joe Musgrove was ejected after hitting Atlanta third baseman Josh Donaldson with a pitch in the first inning, and their bullpen allowed 13 runs on 12 hits. Center fielder Starling Marte homered twice and finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs, lifting his average in his past 12 games to .426. Left fielder Bryan Reynolds went 0-for-5, ending his 17-game hitting streak and 24-game on-base streak.
TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS Southeast (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chris Archer (3-5, 5.20 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (1-5, 5.89)
Archer pitched to a 7.41 ERA in his first four starts since returning from the injured list May 15 but has recorded victories in each of his past two outings. The 30-year-old beat the Braves in Pittsburgh on Thursday, giving up one run on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts in six innings, six days after pitching seven innings in a 9-4 triumph at Milwaukee. Archer makes just his fourth road start of 2019, going 0-2 with a 7.98 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in his first three away games.
Foltynewicz continues to struggle keeping the ball in the park, giving up 15 homers in 44 1/3 innings after surrendering 17 in 183 frames a season ago. The 27-year-old has allowed five homers in 11 innings in his past two starts, giving up five runs in five innings May 31 against Detroit and allowing three runs on six hits in six innings Thursday at Pittsburgh. Foltynewicz, who has walked one hitter in his past 23 innings, is getting hit at a .283 clip with a .957 OPS by right-handed hitters.
WALK-OFFS1. Pittsburgh has scored 107 runs across its past 19 games, averaging 5.6 per contest in that span dating to May 23.
2. Braves 3B Johan Camargo, who hit .148 in 16 games since May 18 entering Monday, replaced Donaldson and finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.
3. Pirates LF Corey Dickerson delivered a two-run, pinch-hit single in the eighth Monday, giving him hits in 11 of his past 13 games against Atlanta.