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Shelby Miller's complete game gem leads Braves over Phillies

Chris Cwik
·Staff writer

Take a look around the league with Big League Stew's daily wrap up. We'll hit on all of the biggest moments from the day that you may have missed, while providing highlights, photos and interesting stats.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Shelby Miller is starting to look like an ace again. The 24-year-old had an exceptional start Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Miller allowed just three hits during a complete game shutout. He struck out eight and issued just one walk. Miller threw just 99 pitches, picking up the first "Maddux" of the season.


A "Maddux" occurs when a pitcher tosses a complete game shutout while throwing fewer than 100 pitches. The stat is named, obviously, for Greg Maddux, who accomplished the feat an amazing 13 times during his career. It's not an actual stat, but it's a fun way to point out a dominant pitching performance.

Miller has been sensational to open the year for the Braves. Through six starts, he's compiled a 1.66 ERA. After seeing some decline last season, Miller's strikeout rate is up and he's getting ground balls at a much higher rate.

The Braves made a huge challenge trade shipping off Jason Heyward for Miller during the offseason, and they've been rewarded in a big way thus far.

NATIONALS LOSE GAME, AND POSSIBLY STRASBURG

The Washington Nationals may have lost more than just a game Tuesday against the Miami Marlins. Stephen Strasburg had to leave the contest after just three innings due to an arm issue.

Strasburg seemed to experience some pain in the first inning, but remained in the game. After making a throwing error in the second, trainers came out to the mound to examine the pitcher.

Strasburg would remain in the game for another inning, but was pulled after the third. He allowed two runs on four hits over three innings, picking up the loss.

Following the game, Strasburg said he had discomfort under his shoulder blade. He believes a visit to the chiropractor should fix the issue, according to Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider.

“I think it’s something where I just need to get an adjustment, or something like that,” Strasburg said. “The best way I can put it: You’re driving a car fast over speed bumps. The irritation kind of rattles the cage a little bit.”

Strasburg is scheduled to visit a chiropractor Wednesday, something he admitted he’s done in the past. For now, the Nationals do not appear to believe this is an injury that would require a trip to the disabled list.

Strasburg hasn't looked like himself early this season. Over six starts, he's posted a 4.73 ERA. The Nationals will have to hope an adjustment can get him back to his dominant ways.

BETTS' BLASTS PROPEL RED SOX

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts came through in a big way Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Betts blasted two bombs, scoring both runs for Boston.

The Red Sox picked up just five hits during the contest, and Betts was the only starter to notch multiple knocks.

His first home run came off starter Drew Smyly in the sixth inning. Betts led off the inning by clubbing a 79 mph slider from Smyly out to left for the solo shot. Up until that point, Smyly had been throwing a no hitter.

He would add an insurance run in the eighth inning. This time, Betts' home run came against reliever Ernesto Frieri. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Betts belted a 90 mph fastball to left field for his second home run of the night.

Koji Uehara was able to nail down the save, giving Boston the 2-0 victory.

After a slow start, it appears the 22-year-old Betts is starting to heat up.


Betts is hitting .234/.306/.411 over 107 at-bats.

WHITE SOX END FIVE-GAME SKID

The Chicago White Sox pulled out a victory Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers, ending their five-game losing streak.

On the mound, the club was led by Jeff Samardzija, who turned in one of his better performances of the season. Samardzija allowed two runs on seven hits over seven innings. He struck out seven and walked one during the contest.

Samardzija's opponent, Shane Greene, ran into trouble during the third inning. After giving up a leadoff single, Greene walked the bases loaded. He then proceeded to walk Adam LaRoche, bringing in a run.

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Another run scored on a groundout, giving the White Sox a one-run lead. Conor Gillaspie was able to extend that lead in the next at-bat, driving in two runs with a triple.

Greene would leave the game after Gillaspie's at-bat. He allowed five runs on five hits over just 2 2/3 innings. Greene gave up four walks.

After giving up one earned run in his first three starts, Green has now given up 20 runs in his last three contests.

Want to see more from Tuesday's slate of games? Check out our scoreboard.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik