(SportsNetwork.com) - Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani will try to rediscover his early-season success on Tuesday night when the Cincinnati Reds continue a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves.
DeSclafani opened the campaign 2-0 with a 0.86 earned run average through three starts, having allowed just two runs over 21 innings. However, he has since yielded 12 runs (8 earned) over a three-start losing streak, going five innings in each outing.
The 25-year-old faced the Braves for the first time on May 1 and took the loss, charged with four runs on four hits and five walks. He then saw his skid extended with a 7-2 setback in Pittsburgh on Thursday as he allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks.
"I was fighting myself," said DeSclafani. "I definitely wasn't happy with this outing. I wasn't getting ahead of hitters at all. I've got to figure something out and make changes ASAP."
His ERA on the season now sits at 2.50 and has nine walks over his past two outings after issuing just six over his first four starts.
Mike Foltynewicz will look to record a third straight winning start tonight against the team he picked up his first career win against.
After going 0-1 with a 5.30 earned run average in 16 relief appearances last season with Houston, Foltynewicz made his first career start and Braves debut on May 1 in a matchup with Cincinnati and DeSclafani. He lasted five innings and held the Reds to three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and three walks.
The 23-year-old righty earned a second start this past Wednesday and escaped with a 7-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Foltynewicz was charged with four runs, seven hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven.
"He's definitely got the fastball," said Braves outfielder Kelly Johnson. "If he continues to throw strikes like he did tonight, he's going to be pretty good for us."
There is no question of Reds closer Aroldis Chapman's ability to throw a fastball, but the hurler has suffered consecutive losses for only the third time in his career after last night's 2-1 defeat in the series opener.
Chapman took a 28 1/3-scoreless innings streak into a tie game on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, but gave up three straight two-out singles, the third following a wild pitch, and lost a 4-3 game. He then took the mound last night in a tie contest and the Braves secured a 2-1 victory when Phil Gosselin raced home on a wild pitch.
Gosselin and Nick Markakis hit singles off Chapman and Gosselin was able to steal third during Andrelton Simmons' at-bat. Chapman struck out Simmons, but his 103-mph fastball with Freddie Freeman at the plate blew past he glove of catcher Tucker Barnhart.
"I don't know if he's your typical stolen-base threat, but he had a great jump, great lead and beat the throw to third base and was able to score," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It was a good way to end a losing streak."
Atlanta snapped a three-game slide and dealt Cincinnati a third loss in a row.
"We had chances to win that game and didn't do anything to win that game. We have to go out and take that victory," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "You end up getting in a situation where you make one mistake and it costs you the game. That's what happened today. We just didn't play very well."
The Braves have won eight of their last 12 versus the Reds, splitting a four- game set at home from April 30-May 3.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.