The Atlanta Braves had a golden opportunity to reach .500 for the first time this season, but another underwhelming night at the plate spoiled a quality outing from Bryce Elder, leaving Matt Olson and company searching for answers.
Facing a Pittsburgh Pirates team that had just fired its manager and was on a seven-game losing streak, Atlanta managed only two runs in a 3-2 loss at PNC Park on Friday night.
Elder allowed just three earned runs across six innings and struck out eight without walking a batter. It was a solid outing, his third quality start in the last four games, but once again, the Braves' offense failed to show up in time.