'He was awesome': Hernández proves he's strikeout machine in debut

MILWAUKEE -- When Triple-A Gwinnett manager Matt Tuiasosopo called Daysbel Hernández on Saturday night, he playfully said, “Did you not know we had a team meeting at the stadium?” A worried Hernández said he had already left the stadium before quickly realizing he had just got his first call to the Majors.

Hernández’s first day as a big leaguer proved to be a memorable one. Less than 24 hours after receiving the call from Tuiasosopo, the 26-year-old Cuban was extending his strikeout tear at the big league level. His scoreless, one-inning MLB debut earned him his first career win in the Braves’ 4-2 victory over the Brewers on Sunday at American Family Field.

“He was awesome,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s nice to have guys in the bullpen with stuff. It looks like he has a good feel for the strike zone too.”

Hernández struck out three of the four batters he faced in the seventh and set the stage for Ozzie Albies to give the Braves their latest comeback win with his go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning. The opposite-field shot was the All-Star second baseman’s 23rd homer of the season, but just his fourth extra-base hit since July 5.

“I ended up making the last out last night,” Albies said. “But tonight, I stepped up big for my team.”

When Albies ended Saturday night’s one-run loss by striking out with the potential tying run on third, the Braves were denied a chance to add to their list of comebacks. But with their rally on Sunday, they are now an MLB-best 9-27 (.250) when trailing in the eighth inning this year. The Giants also have nine such wins, but they have amassed that total over 51 games.

“These guys have been through everything and they’ve done it on the biggest stages,” Snitker said. “I don't think there's ever any panic in any of those guys out there.”

With this latest comeback win, the Braves avoided losing a third consecutive series. They have won three of four since stumbling through a four-game losing streak. Their late-inning success is the product of a potent offense. But some of the credit has to go to a bullpen that might prove to be even better with Hernández.

Hernández landed in Milwaukee around 9 a.m. CT Sunday morning, hurried to the stadium, introduced himself to his teammates and then took center stage a few hours later. With the Braves trailing by one, he took the mound in the seventh and promptly got Victor Caratini to go down looking against a 95.8 mph fastball painted at the bottom of the zone.

After Owen Miller singled and stole second, Brice Turang swung through a 95.7 mph fastball at the top of the zone for strike three. Blake Perkins also went down swinging against a 96.4 mph fastball to end the inning.

“He attacked the zone,” Albies said. "Before the game, when we talked to him, he said, ‘I just go out there to throw strikes and if they hit [it], you guys have to make plays for me.’ That’s what he did today.”

Hernández has now struck out 20 of the 27 batters he has faced for Double-A Mississippi, Triple-A Gwinnett and Atlanta over 7 2/3 innings going back to June 30. He has made a quick ascent after missing all of the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

After being signed by the Braves at a tryout camp in Miami, Hernández began his pro career in 2018. He showed signs of encouragement in ‘19, but didn’t pitch when COVID-19 erased the 2020 Minor League season. He impressed as a non-roster invitee in ‘21, but underwent major elbow surgery after having a heavy workload in the 2021-22 Mexican Winter League.

“If he hadn’t gotten hurt, he probably would have been a big part of this bullpen already,” Snitker said. “He’s healthy and a big strong kid. His slider is a lot better than I remember it being.”

Albies’ homer was hit against Elvis Peguero, who entered the game having allowed just one homer in 39 innings this year. The go-ahead shot also accounted for the first run the Brewers’ bullpen has allowed since July 8.

Along with seeing Hernández enjoy a strong debut, the Braves also saw All-Star Bryce Elder bounce back from two rough starts. He limited the Brewers to two runs and four hits over six innings.