Three Cuts: Freeman takes step forward in return; more Braves
Three Cuts: Freeman takes step forward in return; more Braves Under the direction of first-year hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, the Braves have cut down on the strikeouts, with the fewest in the National League heading into Sunday's series finale vs. the Cubs.
But Jake Arrieta added to a frustrating star to the post-All-Star Break schedule, with the Chicago right-hander fanning 10 Braves in Sunday's series finale at Turner Field.
Atlanta now has seven double-digit strikeout games since June 1 and the 12 total Ks on Sunday added to the first two games vs. the Cubs, the Braves whiffed 29 times in dropping two of three.
Granted, this was against a pitching staff that ranks third in the majors with a collective 3.28 ERA and much of that was with Jon Lester (who flirted with a no-hitter on Saturday) just getting into the form he was expected to be in.
Here are three things we learned from the Braves' first action after the break.
Before Sunday's game first baseman Freddie Freeman resumed baseball activities for the first time since he went on the disabled list June 17 as he took swings in the batting cage, threw and fielded grounders.
All that being said, there's still no concrete date on his return, as Freeman said he had an MRI that revealed fluid between his index and middle-finger bone in his sprained right wrist.
"The pain is gone," Freeman told FOX Sports South during the telecast. "Now I've just got the soreness and some acheness from, obviously, not doing anything for about a month. I've just got to work on that and gradually getting better."
He is expected to be reevaluated Sunday night and if the Braves medical staff is happy with the progress, he can take more dry swings on Monday and maybe hit off a batting tee.
"The good thing about the last couple of weeks is my wrist has felt pretty normal," Freeman said.
The All-Star has been out for 26 games, in which the Braves had gone 11-15 and scored 69 runs, trailing only the Mets in that span.
There is still no timetable for Freeman's return or when he could begin a rehab assignment.
It's now been 11 starts since Shelby Miller's last win, a drought that goes back to May 17, as he allowed three runs -- one earned -- over six innings on Sunday in dropping to 5-6.
The first-time All-Star, who was pitching for the first time since July 10 after not being used in the Midsummer Classic, has posted a 3.15 ERA in his winless streak.
In a storyline we've become accustomed to seeing, he hasn't been backed by much offense, with Atlanta scoring 30 runs (2.7 per game) in going 2-9 with Miller on the mound since that last win.
But of late, there's been more to Miller's outings than a lack of production by the Braves' offense.
As great as he's been overall this season, with a 2.33 ERA, opponents have scored 13 runs over his past four starts, with 10 earned. That's an ERA of 4.03.
While he had a number of issues in his last start in Colorado, Miller's trouble Sunday was largely down to the second and third innings when he gave up a two-run single to Jonathan Herrera and Jorge Soler's solo homer.
He'll no doubt be feeling a bit more pressure the next time out as Miller is in line to take on his former team, the Cardinals, on Saturday in St. Louis.
The Braves suffered through 22 scoreless innings vs. the Cubs, but A.J. Pierzynski can hardly be blamed for the struggles.
After breaking up Leter's no-hit bid on Saturday, he delivered a double off Arrieta in the fourth inning to snap a streak of nine straight retired by the Cubs starter.
Over the last 19 games dating back to June 20 vs. the Mets, Pierzynski is 25 of 74 (.337) and has hits in five straight games and eight of the last nine. That includes five extra-base hits, including four doubles.
It's been a strong turnaround for the veteran catcher, who in the 20 games before his recent tear was hitting .212.
Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney
