Common themes present in Braves’ series loss to Brewers

Almost anyone in the Braves’ clubhouse would have jumped for joy upon hearing the team would produce eight hits while drawing eight walks against a pitching staff with the fourth-lowest ERA in MLB. But a 1-for-10 performance with runners in scoring position — and 14 left on base — led to little run support for starting pitcher Joey Wentz, a common theme through his four starts with the club.

Wentz entered the game with a 0-1 record, despite pitching to a 1.80 ERA in his first three starts with the Braves. He surrendered five runs in 5⅓ innings against the Brewers but threw better than the box score indicated.

Four of Wentz’ five earned runs came in the third inning, where the Brewers found any way possible to reach base.

They began the frame with a 17-foot single and followed it up with a one-out infield knock. After loading the bases with a walk, a slow rolling ground ball fielded by second baseman Ozzie Albies gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead.

The Braves’ deficit grew with a wild pitch and a two-run single.

“Joey threw a lot better than what that line was,” Snitker said. “Miss-hit balls and just a lot of little things that he couldn’t control, I thought. But overall, he threw the ball really well again.”

Wentz, a four-year veteran, was not as forgiving of himself.

“They’ve got some really good players,” Wentz said. “When that happens, you’ve just gotta keep pitching, trying to try to keep executing. And ultimately, in that inning, I got into a pretty long battle with (first baseman Andrew Vaughn), and he was able to hit a ball hard, and that’s how the other runs came across. Frustrated a little bit, especially as a starter, it’s your job to keep going.”

The Braves’ lone offensive production came from outfielder Eli White, who hit two home runs during Sunday’s MLB Speedway Classic. And his power surge continued against the Brewers, as a home run and bases-loaded walk provided the Braves with their only two runs of the game.

White’s fourth-inning solo shot went into the left field seats — to his pull side — which is an area that indicates confidence in his swing.

And his swing certainly felt good in the Braves’ past seven games. White is batting .296 over that stretch with three home runs and nine RBIs while filling in for an injured Ronald Acuña Jr.

“Just trying to make the most of my opportunity and help the team in his absence,” White said. “So big shoes to fill, obviously, I don’t think I can fill his shoes completely but trying to do my part to help the team out.”

The Braves (47-65) will try to salvage the series at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday with Spencer Strider on the mound.