Hitting continues to be an issue for A's against pitching-strong Braves

The Atlanta Braves entered the season with serious questions about their pitching staff. But after four games, that's turned out to be the club's strength.

The Braves, who host the Athletics in the second contest of a three-game set on Tuesday, have allowed only six runs through four games. They blanked the A's 4-0 on Monday in the series opener -- Atlanta's second shutout in four games -- to send the Athletics to a 0-4 start for the first time since 2021.

The Braves have gotten strong outings from starters Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder. Right-hander Spencer Strider, projected as one of the top three starters on the team, has been sidelined with a strained left oblique but threw a bullpen session on Monday and may be close to returning.

"It's been nice going through the rotation for the first time and getting these kind of starts," Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. "Bryce (Elder) was great for six innings, and that's ideal at this point in the season.

Atlanta announced it will use Jose Suarez as an opener on Tuesday. He will face Athletics right-hander Aaron Civale (4-9, 4.85 ERA in 2025) on Tuesday.

Suarez made seven appearances for the Braves last year over two stints with the club. The left-hander (2-0, 1.86) made only one start. Suarez appeared in five games in spring training and posted a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings with 14 strikeouts and eight walks.

He is likely to be followed by left-hander Martin Perez, who was recalled on Monday when the club returned rookie righty Didier Fuentes to Triple-A Gwinnett. Fuentes had pitched four innings of relief on Sunday afternoon and would have been unavailable until later in the week.

Perez pitched in four games in spring training and posted a 2.84 ERA in 12 2/3 innings. The 14-year veteran signed a minor league contract with the Braves in February.

Civale, who begins his eighth season in the majors, was signed as a free agent in the offseason. He pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs in 2025.

"The goal was to bring someone in who had experience to this rotation," A's manager Mark Kotsay said. "Aaron has had a chance to pitch for teams that have been competitive. The experience he's gained from other organizations will add to what he brings here. This is a big year for him to go out and prove that he belongs in the rotation."

He pitched 13 2/3 innings in spring training and posted a 5.27 ERA. He had 18 strikeouts, including 11 in his final start against Seattle on March 19.

Civale has made three career appearances, one start, against Atlanta, going 0-1 with a 2.79 ERA.

The winless A's also have had trouble hitting. Their leadoff batter has produced only one hit through four games. They had only six runners reach scoring position on Monday, grounded into a double play and had a player picked off.

"We just couldn't get a hit with runners in scoring position," Kotsay said. "A lot of times these games are decided by that big hit, especially with two outs. In terms of the offense, that's what it boiled down to."

--Field Level Media