Weak bats waste another good pitching performance

          Sean Newcomb had an odd and rough start, throwing a whole bunch of pitches and surviving.

          He gave up three runs in 5.2 innings on four hits, with only two strikeouts to three walks, on a hefty 102 pitches. But three runs was plenty for Arizona to take a 3-0 win before an announced crowd of more than 40,000.

          The Braves had little to offer at the plate, striking out 10 times, almost double the number of hits they managed. Nick Markakis’ six-game hitting streak was extended with one out in the ninth.

         Swanson had two of Atlanta’s hits. Three Atlanta relievers teamed for three strikeouts, three hits, and no walks.

          The Braves have scored four runs or less in six of 12 games this month, with only one game of better than six runs. It was the first time since May 23 Atlanta was shut out, and fifth time this season.

Vizcaino back to DL

Toussaint, Wright in Sunday’s Futures game

Minor-league update

Next 5

Sunday, 1:35 p.m., vs. Arizona, FSS

Tuesday, 8 p.m., All-Star Game

Friday, 7:05 p.m., at Washington, FSS

Saturday, 7:05 p.m., at Washington, FSS

Sunday, 1:35 p.m., at Washington, FSS

From beat writers David O'Brien and Gabe Burns/Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Mark Bowman/MLB.com on Twitter (and others when notable)

Through the replay reversal that gave Sanchez a pickoff in the second inning (Friday), the Braves have been successful with 39.4% (13 of 33) of the challenges they have issued this year. The league success rate entering tonight was 47.3%./MB

All-Star starters Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis were a combined 4-for-8 in Friday’s loss to Arizona, while the rest of ATL lineup went 2-for-24 with 10 strikeouts./DOB

Braves were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position Friday and have hit .197 (15-for-76) in those situations during this 2-7 stretch./DOB

If Gohara isn’t deemed ready to make the July 24 start in Miami, Fried would be an option. But the Braves would rather Fried test that blister region over a few starts for Gwinnett before returning to the Majors./MB

Braves pitcher Brandon McCarthy is not with the team. He's back home in Arizona rehabbing his knee with his own physical therapist. And no, that's not typical in the middle of the season./DOB

Vizcaino came to Braves officials late before today's game and said he couldn't go, shoulder sore. That's why Snitker hadn't mentioned it in pre-game session with reporters; he didn't know at the time./DOB

Assuming Folty pitches in All-Star game, it's expected to be Newcomb, Sanchez and Teheran for Washington series, then Folty. But if he doesn't pitch in ASG for some reason, Folty would start in that first series./DOB

Newcomb recorded a strike with just seven of his first 21 pitches, but allowed just one run during a 36-pitch first inning. The lefty is staring at he possibility of might completing less than five innings in each of his final three starts before the break./MB

Newcomb has totaled 24 pitches while proving perfect in the two innings that have followed his 36-pitch first./MB

Newcomb has retired 12 of the past 14 and he's limited the damage to two runs through five innings. Since issuing three walks and allowing a single through the first five batters faced, he's encountered just two 3-ball counts (final two batters faced in the fifth)/MB