Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Nabs quality start in no-decision
Rotowire
Lopez allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings in a no-decision against Washington on Thursday.
Lopez held the Nationals scoreless until the sixth inning, when CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas tagged him for back-to-back solo homers. Lopez looked like he could be on the ropes when the following two batters singled, but the right-handed hurler got out of the jam without another run scoring. That allowed him to register his seventh quality start in what has been a career-best campaign. Lopez ranks third among qualified starters with a 1.85 ERA through 63.1 innings on the season.
Lopez (3-2) yielded a run on four hits and two walks over six innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over the Athletics.
Lopez worked around some trouble throughout the contest and turned in one of his best starts of the year. He recorded a season-high eight strikeouts with 16 whiffs, including nine with his slider. It was the first time he recorded more than five punchouts in a start since April 30. Lopez has produced six quality starts in 10 appearances, resulting in a 1.73 ERA through 57.1 frames. His next start is projected to be in Washington.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Not starting Thursday
Rotowire
Lopez won't start Thursday's game against the Nationals, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Lopez pitched on four days of rest for the second time all season Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) in 4.2 innings -- his shortest start of the season. Rather than sending him to the mound after a traditional four-day rest period again, Atlanta will push his next start back and give the ball to Ray Kerr to close out its current series against Washington. The team hasn't yet announced when Lopez's next start will come, though it's possible he simply moves back a day to start Friday's series opener against the Athletics.
Lopez (2-2) took the loss Saturday in Pittsburgh, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk over just 4.2 innings. He struck out three.
Saturday marked the right-hander's shortest outing of the season and also his fewest number of pitches thrown (70) in a start this year. Lopez labored a bit in the third and fourth frames, and Atlanta manager Brian Snitker elected to pull his starter after he yielded a two-out single in the fifth. The righty hasn't won a game since April 16 even as he still holds a 2.43 ERA since that date.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Effective again in no-decision
Rotowire
Lopez allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four batters over 6.1 innings in a no-decision versus San Diego in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader.
Lopez exited his previous start against the Cubs early due to back tightness, but the issue didn't seem to bother him Monday. The right-hander tossed 83 pitches and left in line for the win before Atlanta's bullpen crumbled late in the contest. Lopez earned his fourth quality start of the campaign but actually saw his ERA rise from 1.34 to 1.54, highlighting how great he's been this season. Monday was just the second time through eight outings that he's given up more than one earned run.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Cleared to start Sunday
Rotowire
Lopez (back) is slated to start Sunday's game against the Padres in Atlanta, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The right-hander dealt with back tightness in his most recent start Monday against the Cubs and was lifted after five scoreless innings, but he's apparently feeling better two days later. Assuming he's able to make it out of his between-starts bullpen session without incident, Lopez shouldn't face any major workload restrictions when he toes the rubber Sunday. After spending most of the last two seasons as a reliever, Lopez has exceeded expectations with his move to a starting role in his first year in Atlanta, going 2-1 with a 1.34 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 40:16 K:BB in 40.1 innings through his first seven outings.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Exits with tight back
Rotowire
Lopez was lifted from Monday's start against the Cubs early due to back tightness, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. He didn't factor into the decision after allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four over five scoreless innings.
Lopez was removed from the game firing 71 pitches, and he likely would've gone back out for the sixth had his back not become an issue. He'll be considered day-to-day leading up to his next outing, but the club expects him to be ready for his next start, per Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Reynaldo Lopez: Battles control in no-decision
Rotowire
Lopez came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Red Sox, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and four walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.
The four free passes were a season high for Lopez, who tossed 54 of 91 pitches for strikes before exiting. The right-hander has failed to last six innings in either of his last two outings after beginning the season with four straight quality starts, but he still sports a 1.53 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 36:14 K:BB through 35.1 innings. He'll look to tighten things up in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Cubs.
