Grit Index: Teheran, Braves put an end to D-backs’ shutout streak

In the battle between former Braves’ farm hands Friday night, Julio Teheran got the better of Randall Delgado, as he threw six scoreless innings in Atlanta’s 3-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Teheran — who struck out nine batters over seven — and the Braves became the first team to blank the D-backs in 2013. Coming into the night, Kirk Gibson’s squad had gone 78 straight games with at least one run scored — the longest active streak in the Major Leagues and the longest to start a season in franchise history.

Delgado, who was 4-9 with a 4.07 ERA with the Braves in 2012, was not terrible by any means against his former team. In six innings of work, the D-backs right-hander gave up just two runs on eight hits.

The Good:

Delgado recorded his second consecutive loss, but he managed to get out of jams in the first, fourth and sixth innings.

For allowing eight hits, the damage could have been far worse.

The Bad

The D-backs’ scoreless streak ending certainly could be categorized as a ‘Bad’ but the more disconcerting takeway from Friday night’s loss was the team’s continued struggles at the plate. Arizona has scored nine total runs in its last four losses.

Defensively, Gerardo Parra had a rough night in the outfield at Turner Field. On Justin Upton’s RBI single in the first, he tried to gun down Jason Hayward at the plate, despite the fact the Braves outfielder was already halfway between third base and home. The throw allowed Upton to advance to second, although he would later be stranded.

Parra then ran into some trouble in the fifth inning, when he misplayed a B.J. Upton fly ball near the warning track into an easy, stand-up double.

Noted:

• Former Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, who retired following the 2012 season, had his jersey retired before the game.

• In his return to Atlanta, D-backs infielder Martin Prado went 1-for-2 with a walk.

• Catcher Miguel Montero struck out three times Friday night. It’s the fourth time this season he has gone down on strikes three or more times in a contest.

What’s Next:

The D-backs will try to start a new streak Saturday, when right-hander Ian Kennedy (3-4, 5.49 ERA) returns to the mound fresh off his 10-game suspension. The Braves will counter with right-hander Tim Hudson (4-7, 4.10 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. MST and can be heard on Arizona Sports 620.