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Mike Soroka Looks Human, Braves Extend Winning Streak

By Deke Lloyd

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 06: Pitcher Mike Soroka #40 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the first inning during the game against the San Francisco Giants at SunTrust Park on May 6, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 06: Pitcher Mike Soroka #40 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the first inning during the game against the San Francisco Giants at SunTrust Park on May 6, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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In a drama filled, rain delayed kind of night, the Braves were able to overcome the Pittsburgh Pirates for their 6th straight win. It was a hard fought night for the Braves in which Mike Soroka proved he was a human after all.

Mike Soroka has been phenomenal this season. There is no other way to describe what 21-year-old pitcher has been able to do since returning from injury. Coming into Wednesday’s start, Soroka was boasting a 1.38 ERA in 10 starts. In 9 of those 10 starts, Soroka hadn’t allowed more than 1 earned run in those starts. His strikeouts, 57, far exceeding his walks, 17 for the season. However, Soroka did not get the chance to pitch against the Pirates when the Braves were in Pittsburgh. He would get his chance on Wednesday.

Coming into Wednesday’s game, the Braves were flying high, winners of five in a row. The Pirates, on the other hand, losers of five in a row, were looking to get right but faced a tough task in Mike Soroka. Pittsburgh found themselves in an immediate hole after the Braves scored three runs in the first inning. However, the Pirates weren’t deterred by the deficit or Soroka and scored 2 runs in the top of the 2nd. The Braves extended their lead, 6-2 before Soroka would get touched up again. Before exiting after the 5th inning, Soroka would give up three more runs taking his total to five earned runs in the game, much higher than we are used to seeing Soroka give up.

Soroka, even after giving up five earned runs, still has an ERA under 2, 1.98. It’s a testament to how good Soroka has been all season to have his ERA still so low after such a rocky start. Soroka, also, can’t be in total blame for the bad game. The Pirates did a good job of hitting him and keeping him behind instead of getting behind early in the pitching count, something that Soroka has done all season to keep hitters off balance. The Pirates were able to get 10 hits off Soroka in his five innings, a season-high for the Braves pitcher.

The Braves will go for their 7th straight win this afternoon for a noon game with the Pirates, who will be looking to avoid their 7th straight loss. Joe Musgrove, the pitcher who was tossed in the first inning earlier this week, will get the start for the Pirates. The Braves will be sending out Julio Teheran, a guy who is looking to stay red hot.

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