Once again, Atlanta Braves starter Shelby Miller pitched great, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning, and not coming away with the victory. However, the Braves did win the game as Cameron Maybin came through with his first career walk-off homer to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 in 10 innings.
Miller went seven plus innings allowing one run on two hits, while walking four batters and striking out 10. The All-Star right-hander’s no-hit bid ended with a leadoff single by Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed. After Jarrod Saltalamacchia followed that up with a single of his own, Miller was removed with runners at first and third and no outs.
The winless streak for Miller now extends to 16 starts over three months of the season. Despite ranking fifth in the National League in ERA (2.43), he holds a less than appealing record of 5-9. Miller’s last win came on May 17th against the Miami Marlins, where he came one out away from a no-hitter.
Shelby Miller had this to say postgame.
One of the reasons Miller was successful and carried his no-hit bid late in the game was because of the stellar defense the Braves played. Right off the bat in the first inning, Arizona worked back-to-back walks from Ender Inciarte and Aaron Hill. The inning turned around after a spectacular catch by left fielder Michael Bourn, diving head first into foul territory to rob David Peralta the opportunity to drive in runs.
“That play is one of the best catches I’ve seen ever playing baseball,” Miller said postgame. “Guys were diving all over the place for us. That’s how this team is. Obviously we’re not where we want to be in the division, but this team is still playing its heart out.”
Shelby Miller helped his own cause defensively, robbing Ender Inciarte of a hit in the sixth inning. Take a look.
Atlanta got on the board first in the fifth inning. Jace Peterson led off the inning with a single to center, and advanced to third on a one-out double by Andrelton Simmons. The bases became loaded when Shelby Miller walked. Michael Bourn hit a soft grounder to short and was safe at first on a fielding error by Ahmed, allowing Peterson to score. Take a look.
Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa pitched a very solid game as he went seven innings allowing one run on seven hits, while walking four and striking out three.
Arizona would tie the game in the eighth after they knocked Miller out the game, thanks to back-to-back singles by Ahmed and Saltalamacchia. Braves left-hander Ross Detwiler entered the game and gave up the tying run on an RBI fielder’s choice by Ender Inciarte.
Right-handed reliever Peter Moylan, who was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett, came in after Detwiler to defuse the inning from getting out of hand. Pitching in the big leagues for the first time since 2013 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Moylan went two-thirds of an inning without allowing a base runner of any kind. The 36-year-old has dealt with a bevy of arm injuries, including two Tommy John surgeries, and is back with the organization he spent seven years with.
David Aardsma (W, 1-1) picked up the win as he would go on and strike out the side in the top half of the 10th inning.
Cameron Maybin would send the fans home happy as he led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a walk-off homer to left off Arizona right-hander David Hernandez (L, 0-3). He clobbered a 1-2 pitch and it was a no-doubter. Maybin is having a career year, by recording career-highs in home runs (9) and RBI (51).
Here's what Maybin said postgame, immediately following his walk-off homer.
The 28-year-old center fielder seems to feel comfortable in Atlanta, and will take his hot-hitting to his old stomping grounds in San Diego starting Monday night.