Keuchel has rough outing in Class AA

PEARL, Miss. — Dallas Keuchel’s second start in the minors since signing with the Atlanta Braves was a little more of a struggle than his first.

The 31-year-old left-hander gave up three runs and 11 hits over seven innings for Class AA Mississippi of the Southern League on Saturday. He struck out four and walked one, throwing 106 pitches, including 74 strikes.

Keuchel (Arkansas Razorbacks) said he felt good physically and would have a discussion with the Braves front office to see if his next outing would be in the majors or with another minor-league affiliate.

The 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner signed a oneyear deal on June 7 that pays him $13 million.

Keuchel pitched seven innings of one-hit ball for Class-A Rome on Monday in his first game, but wasn’t as sharp Saturday. He gave up two runs on three hits in the first inning.

Keuchel could be called up to the Braves earlier than expected. Atlanta starter Sean Newcomb exited his start Saturday after the Braves pitcher was hit in the back of the neck by a line drive.

Philadelphia’s J.T. Realmuto hit the ball that ricocheted off Newcomb’s neck area in the third inning. Realmuto was visibly shaken up running to first, immediately covering his mouth with both hands.

Braves Manager Brian Snitker, trainer George Poulis and teammates checked on Newcomb on the mound. He was escorted out of the game, under his own power, and relieved by Touki Toussaint.

Newcomb pitched 22/3 innings and allowed three hits, two unearned runs with three strikeouts and two walks.

Newcomb was making a spot start with Kevin Gausman on the injured list. The left-hander struggled as a starter earlier in the season, but has since found success in a relief role.

In Saturday’s Mississippi-Mobile game, Riley Unroe hit a walk-off single with one out in the eighth inning, as the Braves defeated the Mobile BayBears 4-3 in the first game of a doubleheader.

Tyler Neslony scored the game-winning run after he started the inning on second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.

The Braves tied the game 3-3 in the bottom of the sev- enth when Cristian Pache hit a solo home run.

Jordan Harrison (1-2) got the victory with a scoreless inning in relief while Brett Hanewich (0-2) took the loss in the Southern League game.

Ryan Casteel homered and singled in the victory. Drew Waters homered and singled.

Connor Justus doubled and singled twice for the BayBears.

AP/ROGELIO V. SOLIS Pitcher Dallas Keuchel (Arkansas Razorbacks) allowed 3 earned runs on 11 hits with 1 walk, 1 wild pitch and 4 strikeouts on Saturday as the Class AA Mississippi Braves beat the Mobile BayBears 4-3 in the first game of a doubleheader in Pearl, Miss. Keuchel faced 31 batters and threw 106 pitches, 74 of them for strikes.