Shelby Miller needed less than one season with the Atlanta Braves to earn a dubious spot in the club's record book.
Miller tied a franchise mark in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants, stretching his winless drought to 14 starts. That matched the team record set by Kenshin Kawakami in 2010.
The latest outing typified Miller's frustrating season - he allowed two earned runs or fewer for the 17th time in 22 starts, only to see the bullpen cough up the lead and keep him winless since May 17.
"He was dominant throughout the whole game," manager Fredi Gonzalez told reporters after watching his team waste another strong effort from Miller. "We can't ask for any more from him, really. We really can't."
Atlanta is providing Miller with 2.64 runs per nine innings, the lowest total in the majors among qualified starts. "I cant explain it," third baseman Chris Johnson said. "We know it as an offense. I think we just try and do too much."
Miller, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in an offseason trade for Jason Heyward, is 0-7 during the slide after winning five of his first six decisions this season. Still, he's tried to maintain an even-keel approach.
"My job is to go out there and put zeros up," Miller said. "Whether I go five innings, seven innings, whether I have good games or bad games. It's all going to happen."
(h/t MLB.com)
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