Cobb Reporter

SAN DIEGO -- Spencer Schwellenbach has quickly adapted to the Major Leagues, with a recent game underscoring his progress. On Friday night, Schwellenbach faced off against former University of Nebraska teammate Matt Waldron for the second time in six starts, leading the Braves to a 6-1 victory over the Padres at Petco Park.

Braves manager Brian Snitker allowed Schwellenbach to pitch into the seventh inning for the first time in his rookie season. Atlanta’s No. 3 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, completed that inning without allowing any runs, finishing with one run on three hits, one walk, and three strikeouts. He threw 94 pitches, the most in his eight big league starts.

Reflecting on their college days at Nebraska five years ago when Schwellenbach was primarily a shortstop, Waldron praised his former teammate's competitiveness: “I'll tell you what, he's a dog,” Waldron said. “He's going to be good. I wanted to beat him. He got me this time.”

Previously on June 12, Schwellenbach started against another former Nebraska teammate Cade Povich in Baltimore. Both pitchers received no-decisions as the Orioles won 4-2.

“Eight starts in, and two have been against my former teammates,” Schwellenbach remarked with a chuckle. “It’s not like I went to LSU or Florida. I went to Nebraska, and that means a lot to say.”

The Braves supported Schwellenbach with a four-run fifth inning highlighted by Marcell Ozuna's 25th home run and Orlando Arcia's two-run homer. Ozuna added another solo home run in the ninth inning for his third multihomer game of 2024 and the 21st of his career.

Schwellenbach utilized all six of his pitches effectively throughout the game and maintained around 95 mph with his four-seamer even as his pitch count increased. Despite having limited experience above High-A before being called up in late May due to Tommy John surgery recovery post-draft in 2021, he demonstrated veteran-like composure.

“He hit with all his pitches. He was really good,” Snitker said. “He’s figuring things out, learning about himself... That’s a really good lineup... So that’s a great job.”

Schwellenbach allowed back-to-back doubles resulting in San Diego's only run but managed to retire the next three batters efficiently.

Discussing an adjustment made during the game, Schwellenbach explained: “About the third inning... I pretty much said, ‘Don’t search for strikeouts. Just search for weak contact.’ That’s kind of what I did -- cutter, sinker and work my offspeed off of that.”

Waldron commended Schwellenbach's athleticism and determination: “Incredible athlete, incredible guy, hard worker... He just wanted it so bad,” Waldron added.