In our preview of Wednesday’s action, we noted that both the Braves and the Twins were baseball’s only teams yet to win a game this season. That remains true as both teams were shut out: the Braves 3-0 to the Nationals, and the Twins 3-0 to the White Sox. The Twins have further set the mark for the worst start in franchise history, while the Braves are inching closer to matching their franchise record worst start of 0-10 in 1988.
The Braves were simply overmatched by Tanner Roark, who pitched seven shutout innings on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Roark starting was supposed to be a good thing, as Stephen Strasburg was scheduled to start but was scratched due to an illness. Braves starter Matt Wisler was undone by a pair of fourth-inning homers: a solo shot by Stephen Drew, and a two-run round-tripper by Jayson Werth.
Meanwhile, the Twins couldn’t convert on any of their opportunities as White Sox starter Carlos Rodon gave up three hits and five walks in six innings. Jerry Sands boosted the White Sox lead to 3-0 with a two-run homer in the seventh off of Phil Hughes.
The run differentials through eight games...
Braves
- Scored: 22 runs (2.75 per game)
- Allowed: 49 runs (6.125 per game)
- Differential: -27 runs (3.375 per game)
Twins
- Scored: 13 runs (1.625 per game)
- Allowed: 33 runs (4.125 per game)
- Differential: -20 runs (2.5 per game)
Hoo boy.