Updated

Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 2

Martin Perez Spins 7 Scoreless Innings After Lopez Knee Injury in Braves' 8-3 Win

Updated

Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 2

Martin Perez Spins 7 Scoreless Innings After Lopez Knee Injury in Braves' 8-3 Win

Q: What does Brady House ending Martín Pérez’s no-hit bid reveal about both Atlanta’s pitching depth and Washington’s future?

Brady House’s single underscored two different realities: Atlanta has enough pitching depth to survive a late rotation disruption, and Washington still sees House as part of its longer-term core even in a lopsided loss. For the Braves, the bigger story was that Pérez was an emergency replacement for Reynaldo López, who was scratched shortly before first pitch with knee inflammation and is expected to go on the injured list. Atlanta still got 6 2/3 scoreless innings from a veteran left-hander who was originally lined up for the next day, preserving a taxed bullpen and showing the club has more than just its planned starters to rely on. Pérez’s season line and experience — including an All-Star nod and postseason pedigree — make him exactly the kind of depth contender teams need when injuries hit. House ending the no-hit bid matters for Washington because it came from a 23-year-old former first-round pick the Nationals continue to invest in as a future everyday third baseman. He has been back in the majors since late July after producing well at Triple-A, and while his MLB numbers remain uneven, the hit was a reminder of his bat speed and ability to break through against quality pitching. For a rebuilding Nationals club, that kind of moment does not change the game result, but it does reinforce that House remains one of the young players they hope can grow alongside James Wood, Dylan Crews and the rest of their emerging core.

Q: How did Martín Pérez nearly throw a no-hitter after learning just 35 minutes before first pitch he was starting for Atlanta?

Martín Pérez nearly threw a no-hitter because he treated the emergency assignment like a veteran swingman: he attacked the strike zone immediately, worked fast, and relied on his experience rather than a normal pregame routine. Pérez was supposed to start Sunday, then learned only about 35 minutes before Saturday’s first pitch that he had to replace Reynaldo López, who was scratched with left knee inflammation after warmups. Despite being “way off” his routine, Pérez said he felt no extra pressure and focused on doing his job for his teammates. Manager Walt Weiss said Pérez even declined suggestions that Atlanta use an opener to buy him more time. The result was one of the best outings of Pérez’s career. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, allowing only Brady House’s two-out single, and finished with 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out six, threw just 59 pitches, and put 39 of them in the strike zone, a sign of how efficient and aggressive he was. That efficiency mattered because Atlanta’s bullpen had been heavily used and needed length. Pérez kept Washington off balance, limited traffic, and benefited from early run support as the Braves scored in the first inning and added homers from Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Dominic Smith, plus a bases-clearing hit from Austin Riley. In short, Pérez nearly no-hit Washington by combining last-minute adaptability, strike-throwing efficiency, and the poise of a 35-year-old veteran used to filling multiple roles.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Aug 2

Seven scoreless innings from Martin Perez rescued Atlanta's rotation plans after he was moved up a day when Reynaldo Lopez hurt his knee while warming up.
Perez allowed one hit, walked two and struck out six, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh before Brady House's two-out single ended it.
Just 78 pitches got Perez through his longest outing of the season and improved him to 7-6 with a 3.24 ERA over 97.1 innings.
Lopez is expected to go on the injured list, making Perez more important to a Braves rotation that backed him with an 8-3 win over Washington.