Toussaint records first win since trade

In his Braves' debut, Touki Toussaint couldn't find his rhythm. That made it all the more frustrating when he hit his stride Saturday, only to see the storm clouds open.

The Braves' No. 4 prospect earned his first win since joining Atlanta via a trade last month but was left wondering what could have been after tossing five one-hit innings in Class A Rome's 1-0 win at Charleston.

Toussaint (1-0) limited the RiverDogs to a single and two walks while striking out two and getting six groundouts. He threw 57 pitches before a rain delay in the sixth. After Charleston worked in its planned July 4 fireworks show, the game was called and Toussaint was given his first victory.

"I knew I would be going back out [if not for the rain]," he said. "Of course, it's [frustrating]. I felt good."

The outing was Toussaint's second since he was acquired from the D-backs on June 21 -- his 19th birthday -- with veteran right-hander Bronson Arroyo for infielder Phil Gosselin.

The right-hander made his debut in the Atlanta system on June 28, allowing one run on two hits over 4 1/3 innings against Augusta in a 6-4 win. Toussaint struck out five, walked five and hit two batters in the outing.

Prior to that, Toussaint went 10 days between starts because the trade coincided with the Midwest League All-Star break. He threw a light bullpen session with Rome before the June 28 outing but said he had trouble rediscovering the rhythm he'd established while with Kane County, where he was 2-2 with a 3.69 ERA.

"My last start was not that good," Toussaint said. "I was shaky and not repeating my delivery. … I just have to keep pushing and work hard, practice in the 'pens and stuff, keeping working on ball down, ball down, ball down and elevate when you want. That's part of the game."

Toussaint threw a full bullpen session with Rome after his South Atlantic League debut and worked with his sea legs beneath him Saturday. He retired the side in order in the first, then set down the first two batters in the second before walking Leonard Thompson. Collin Slaybaugh followed with a single, but right fielder Braxton Davidson nailed Thompson trying to take third to end the inning.

Toussaint cruised from there, retiring the next eight batters. After walking Slaybaugh with two outs in the fifth, he got Alexander Palma to line out to short.

"I'm just trying to attack hitters," he said. "Just get ahead and keeping the ball down, like they preach, getting early contact, keep the pitch count low and get deep."

While reporting on the Atlanta-Arizona trade, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported the D-backs hadn't let Toussaint throw his breaking ball in game action this year. Toussaint declined comment when asked about how he's used the pitch.

What he did say is that his main focus this season has been improving his fastball command, and that emphasis traveled with him to Rome.

"It's the same thing, just attack the bottom of the zone," Toussaint said. "I'm working on fastball command, commanding the fastball, and then my other pitches will be that much better. I think it's the same thing, same game plan and I'm sticking to it."