Starting pitcher Chris Archer left Monday’s game against the Atlanta Braves because of discomfort in his left leg.
The Pirates said the move was precautionary.
Archer had trouble putting away hitters with two strikes early in Monday’s game. Freddie Freeman hit a full-count double with two outs in the first inning and Nick Markakis’ two-strike single gave the Braves a 1-0 lead.
Archer gave up leadoff doubles in the second and third innings but kept the Braves scoreless. When he batted in the bottom of the third inning, he fell to a knee as he struck out. As Archer warmed up before the fourth inning, manager Clint Hurdle and head athletic trainer Bryan Housand visited him on the mound. He stayed in and pitched a scoreless inning, but Steven Brault replaced him in the fifth.
Archer allowed a run and five hits in four innings, walking one and striking out three. The Pirates acquired him at the trade deadline, sending Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow and Shane Baz to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange.
First Published: August 21, 2018, 12:54 a.m.
