NEW YORK — Shelby Miller didn’t break out into “The Facts of Life” theme song when discussing his 23rd straight winless start Monday night. But it would be hard to blame him if he did.
The Atlanta Braves’ hard-luck right-hander continued to make the wrong kind of history Monday, when he took the loss after allowing two runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out three over six innings as the Braves fell to the New York Mets, 4-0, at Citi Field.
In his last 23 starts, Miller is 0-15 despite a 3.65 ERA. The winless streak, as well as the streak of losing decisions, are both the longest for a Braves pitcher since the franchise moved to Atlanta in 1966.
“Obviously I’ve had some ups and downs,” Miller said. “But at the same time, you learn from those things and you take the positives and develop yourself into a better pitcher and person and teammate and player.”
He’s certainly getting plenty of practice in being a good teammate. While Monday marked the 21st time this season Miller has allowed two earned runs or fewer, it was also the 14th time the Braves didn’t score while he was on the mound. Over his last 23 starts, the Braves have scored a total of 22 runs while he’s been in the game.
Overall this season, Miller is 5-16 with a 3.00 ERA — the 10th-best mark in the National League. Miller is assured of making some more weird history: No pitcher since 1901 has ever lost 16 or more games with an ERA lower than 4.65.
“I’m not going to say wins and losses don’t matter, because at the end of the day, a loss is a loss,” Miller said. “We play the game to win.”
Miller will likely get two more chances to earn his first win since May 17, when he lost a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning but threw a shutout in a 2-0 victory over the Miami Marlins.
The Braves are 42-72 since Miller’s last win and need to win three of their final 11 games to avoid losing 100 games for the first time since 1988.
“We’re here together, for each other,” Miller said. “I know, obviously, we haven’t been having the season we want. But at the end of the day, we’re grinding it out and I’m just trying to finish the season strong.”