Atlanta Braves

Braves' Newcomb hopes to impress again vs. Marlins (Jun 16, 2017)

Published Jun. 16, 2017 1:18 a.m. ET

ATLANTA -- Sean Newcomb's error contributed to a loss in his major league debut Saturday against the New York Mets, but otherwise the left-hander couldn't have impressed the Atlanta Braves any more.

"It was satisfying to watch," manager Brian Snitker said after Newcomb struck out seven and allowed four hits and the unearned run over 6 1/3 innings. "I mean he was outstanding. He was on the attack and threw a lot of strikes."

"Hopefully that's the head of the next rotation coming in," catcher Tyler Flowers said of the 23-year-old.

Newcomb, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in the Andrelton Simmons trade two winters ago, will see what he can do for an encore when he faces the Miami Marlins on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at SunTrust Park.

Newcomb, who was 3-3 with a 2.97 ERA for Triple-A Gwinnett before his promotion, is filling the rotation spot left open when struggling veteran Bartolo Colon went on the disabled list with a strained oblique.

Colon is eligible to come off the 10-day DL, but the Braves want to continue getting a look at the 6-foot-5 Newcomb, who had just one unintentional walk against the Mets while showing better command than he often had in the minors.

"I don't know -- that might have been his best outing as a pro," Snitker said. "Maybe we had him in the wrong league."

Newcomb said, "I really couldn't have imagined it going any better than it did except for that one throw into center field."

The Braves, who like the Marlins were off Thursday, open a 10-game homestand after taking two of three to win their first series in Washington since April 2014.

The Braves (29-36) had won only two of their previous 25 games at Nationals Park before exploding offensively for 29 runs and 40 hits, including seven homers, in the series.

The Marlins' offense also has been clicking lately, as shown by their 19 runs in the two-game interleague sweep of Oakland in Miami, and they are expected to get slugging first baseman Justin Bour back for the series against the Braves.

Bour, who has 16 homers, went on the 10-day disabled list June 6 because of a left ankle bruise. He played in a rehab game for Jupiter of the Florida State League on Wednesday and was 2-for-2 with a walk, smashing a double and driving in two runs.

Right-hander Dan Straily (4-4, 3.89 ERA) will start the series opener for the Marlins (29-35) after two rough outings to begin June. He lasted four innings at Pittsburgh in his most recent start and has allowed seven runs on 15 hits this month.

"Plain and simple, I didn't have it," Straily said after the Pittsburgh game. "It was make a pitch, they get a hit. I don't make a pitch, they get a hit. Nothing much I can do -- just get back to work and see you next time."

Straily won his only career game against the Braves, allowing three hits and three runs (two earned) over five innings at Miami on April 11. One of the hits was a homer by Nick Markakis, and he walked two and hit a batter.

Straily may not have to face Braves slugger Matt Kemp, who left Wednesday's game against the Nationals with tightness in his left hamstring.

Kemp, who is hitting .327 with 11 homers, was sidelined in April with a strained right hamstring, but he said he thought he could avoid the 10-day DL this time. He is listed as day-to-day.

"We'll see how it feels," Kemp said. "Good thing we have a day off."