Michael Mercado gave the Phillies a huge pick up with his first MLB start against the Cubs on Wednesday. The story was different in his second start, as the Phillies lost the rubber match of their three-game series with the Atlanta Braves by a final score of 6-0. Mercado allowed three home runs in the second inning and struggled to throw strikes, lasting just five outs. Meanwhile, the Phillies offense had no answers for Braves starter Reynoldo Lopez and totaled just five hits.
Balance
Mercado walked the first two batters he faced on 9 pitches.