‘Viz’ ends no-no in 8th, gives up 3-run homer in 3-0 loss

Arodys Vizcaino has allowed a homer in each of his past two appearances including a three-run shot in the eighth inning of Monday’s 3-0 loss to the Phillies. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Arodys Vizcaino has allowed a homer in each of his past two appearances including a three-run shot in the eighth inning of Monday’s 3-0 loss to the Phillies. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Braves pitchers had a no-hitter against the Phillies Monday night until the eighth inning, when reliever Arodys Vizcaino gave up two hits including a three-run homer to minor leaguer Mitch Walding.

That accounted for all the runs in a 3-0 Braves loss at Champion Stadium.

Braves manager Brian Snitker said he wasn’t concerned about Vizcaino, who has given up a homer in each of his past two appearances. The hard-throwing set-up man/closer is healthy, all that matters to the Braves right now.

“He’s been working on a change and some off-speed stuff, and right there I think he kind of threw a nothing breaking ball and it got hit out,” Snitker said. “But the change-up’s been pretty good for him. I think it was just kind of working on things more than anything. But with him, as long as he’s healthy.

“He’s got the arm. We just want him healthy, that’s all.”

Braves starter Sean Newcomb was perfect for 4 2/3 innings (six strikeouts) and Lucas Sims allowed one walk in 2 1/3 innings before Vizcaino entered a scoreless game in the eighth inning and gave up a leadoff bloop hit to J.P. Crawford. A sacrifice bunt and a walk later, Walding hit a long homer to straightaway center field, his first of the spring.

It was the first homer of the spring for 25-year-old Walding, who hit 25 homers in 99 games last season at Double-A Reading.

The Braves were shut out despite out-hitting the Phillies 9-2. Preston Tucker had two hits for the Braves, who went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base.