ATLANTA — Maybe facing the Miami Marlins again is what Shelby Miller needs to finally end his long winless streak.
The right-hander nearly threw a no-hitter in Miami on May 17 before settling for a two-hit shutout. He hasn’t won in 14 starts as the Braves give him the worst run support of any starter in the majors.
How bad has it been? The Braves have scored a total of 14 runs while Miller was on the mound during the winless stretch, going 2-12 despite a 3.14 ERA by the National League All-Star.
Miller has been the losing pitcher seven times, his record falling to 5-8. His season ERA of 2.44, though, ranks sixth among qualified National League starters.
Miller was in line for a victory Tuesday night against San Francisco when the Braves scored twice in the seventh inning for a 3-2 lead, but the Braves bullpen imploded and the Giants won 8-3.
“It kind of unraveled on us, and he doesn’t get any decision,” said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. “But he was great. He was dominant throughout the whole game. We can’t ask for any more from him, really. We really can’t.”
The 14 starts by Miller without a victory ties Kenshin Kawakami for the longest by a Braves pitcher, but there is no comparison between the two.
Kawakami, a bust after being brought over from Japan, had a 5.10 ERA to go with his 1-10 record in 2010.
Miller’s season is more comparable to Craig Swan’s with the New York Mets in 1978. He also had a 14-start winless streak and won the National League ERA title.