Dallas Keuchel labored through five innings in his Atlanta debut, coughing up a 3-0 lead as the Braves lost 4-3 to the Washington Nationals on Friday night.
Keuchel signed a one-year, $13 million contract on July 7 with the NL East-leading Braves, who hope he can help lead them to the postseason. The left-hander then made two minor league starts before he was recalled Friday from Double-A Mississippi.
It was the first major league appearance for Keuchel since he started Game 3 of last year’s AL Championship Series for the Houston Astros.
Keuchel (0-1) never retired Washington in order and gave up four runs, three earned, on eight hits.