MediterraneanGrocery Wholesalers in Atlanta, GA

10050100

According to ESPN Analytics

Atlanta, Georgia

Line: ATL -260

Capacity: 41149

Game Time:2:52

Kevin Pillar's pinch-hit homer rallies Braves past Orioles

— Kevin Pillar hit a pinch-hit two-run home run in the eighth inning to rally the Atlanta Braves to a 5-4 win over the red-hot Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night.20h - AP

ATLANTA -- With a sellout crowd of 41,454 packed into Truist Park on Saturday night -- and two of MLB’s best teams over the first month-plus of the season in action -- there’s been a bit of a postseason-type atmosphere for this weekend’s Orioles-Braves series in Atlanta.

But manager Brandon Hyde wasn’t going to manage the middle contest of this three-game set, which was the 33rd of 162 games this season, like a postseason matchup. Too much baseball remains ahead for him to do so.

That’s why Baltimore’s two best relievers so far -- closer Félix Bautista and setup man Yennier Cano -- watched from the bullpen as the team failed to close out a potential victory. Danny Coulombe gave up a pinch-hit two-run homer to Kevin Pillar in the eighth inning, and the Orioles (22-11) fell, 5-4, to the Braves (23-11), evening the series.

“We have five months to go, so health is important and not overusing guys is important,” Hyde said. “Right now, I prefer not to use Félix before the ninth inning, and maybe as we go along, it might change. But Cano, he’s pitched a ton for us so far. We have other guys in the bullpen that have been throwing the ball well, and they’re going to get opportunities.”

Cano, who threw a season-high 32 pitches over two frames in Thursday’s win at Kansas City, hasn’t been the only Baltimore reliever asked to cover a lot of innings this year. The Orioles’ bullpen has combined to pitch 125 2/3 innings, the 10th-highest mark in MLB.

That’s been a product of Baltimore’s starting pitchers not working deep enough into games. The club has gotten only 10 starts of at least six innings this season.

Right-hander Kyle Bradish turned in a solid outing against the Braves. He allowed only three runs, but he was pulled after throwing 86 pitches in five innings. At that point, it seemed probable that the Orioles’ relief corps -- which had the best bullpen ERA in MLB as recently as Tuesday, when they owned a 2.86 mark -- could finish off another victory, especially with Cionel Pérez, Bryan Baker and Coulombe among those available.

Like Cano, Coulombe has been a surprise performer in Baltimore’s bullpen. The 33-year-old left-hander, who was acquired from Minnesota in a trade on the final day of Spring Training, posted a 0.84 ERA over 13 April outings.

Meanwhile, Baker, a breakout rookie in 2022, entered Saturday with a 15-inning scoreless streak that spanned his previous 15 appearances. He hadn’t been scored upon since giving up three runs in two-thirds of an inning on Opening Day in Boston.

But in the eighth on Saturday, Baker gave up a leadoff double to Austin Riley. Two batters later, the O’s turned to Coulombe, and the Braves countered with pinch-hitter Kevin Pillar. The battle promptly went in Atlanta’s favor, as Coulombe mislocated a 1-0 fastball that Pillar crushed a Statcast-projected 405 feet to left field for the game’s decisive blow.

“I put the ball in the middle of the plate, and he put a really good swing on it. What can you do? That’s baseball,” said Coulombe, who had hoped to get his heater more up and in against the right-handed-hitting Pillar.

Nobody in Baltimore’s clubhouse is concerned that Baker’s scoreless streak ended or that Coulombe has hit a bit of a rough patch, having allowed four runs in 1 1/3 innings over his past two outings. The bullpen has proven how dominant it can be, and the O’s still rank eighth in MLB with a 3.37 relief ERA.

“This game’s tough. You’re not going to have your A-plus stuff every outing. But they’ve basically done it all year long,” Bradish said. “Moving forward, I have full faith in this bullpen.”

Get the Latest From MLB

Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball.

It could help take some pressure off the relievers for the Orioles’ starters to log more innings. They’re 24th in the big leagues (and 13th in the AL) with 167 this season.

But the pitchers in the bullpen will all take the ball as often as Hyde allows them to do so. And he has faith in more than just Bautista and Cano to get big outs in key situations.

So how does this group of Baltimore relievers move past one of their first rougher stretches of the season? Coulombe explained it best.

“Life of a reliever,” Coulombe said. “You have to have a short memory.”

Chef Fares Kargar opens the long-awaited Alpharetta location of his popular Inman Park Persian restaurant, Delbar Middle Eastern, Wednesday, May 10.

Taking over the former Traditions Indian Cuisine space on Old Milton Parkway, Delbar means “heart, captured” in Farsi and is a culinary love letter to family gatherings in Kargar’s native Iran and the women who taught him to appreciate and value cooking traditional Middle Eastern dishes. Kargar pays homage to his grandmother at Delbar, who often baked bread for the family in her tandoor oven back in Iran, with the many breads served at the restaurant.

“Since I was seven, eight, nine years old, I used to cook, I used to entertain people,” Kargar told Eater in 2022. “I would convince my mom and dad to throw family parties at the house so I could cook for everybody, and I had my signature dishes.”

As in Inman Park, the menu at the Alpharetta location centers on dishes inspired by Kargar’s upbringing in Iran and travels throughout the region, including adas polo (lentil rice dish made with tahdig), gheimeh bademjoon (lamb shank stew), Chilean sea bass spiced with saffron, and chinjeh (prime sirloin with saffron, onions, and yogurt marinade) during dinner. Weekend brunch sees dishes like shakshuka, barbari bread sprinkled with turmeric and sesame seeds topped with whipped feta and candied pistachios, and sosis bandari (beef links with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and taftoun bread), along with a Turkish-style breakfast spread that feeds four people.

Cocktails at Delbar lean into Persian ingredients and flavors, with many ingredients and spices imported from Iran and other countries throughout the region. (Think barberries, cardamom, Persian dried lime, and sour cherries). In addition to cocktails, expect several beers on draft, a selection of natural wines by the glass and bottle, sharbats (cordial), and non-alcoholic drinks made using fresh fruits and flowers.

The Alpharetta location will initially open for dinner, Tuesday through Sunday, with hours eventually expanding to seven days a week and lunch and weekend brunch added later this summer.

The chef’s journey to the United States began in Iran when he was 17 years old. The country has a compulsory military service requirement for men 18 years and older, which led Kargar to leave Iran in 2006, fleeing to Turkey where he applied to come to the United States as a refugee in order to seek a college degree.

Kargar arrived in Atlanta a year later and went on to earn a degree in hospitality from Georgia State University. After working in a number of Atlanta restaurants, including Rumi’s Kitchen in Sandy Springs, Kargar opened Delbar in 2020 in Inman Park, followed by Persian restaurant stall Bibi at Ponce City Market two years later.

4120 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. delbaratl.com.

Ponce City Market

675 North Avenue Northeast, , GA 30308 (404) 900-7900 Visit Website

Delbar Middle Eastern

870 Inman Village Parkway Northeast, , GA 30307 (404) 500-1444 Visit Website

Box Score (.pdf)

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech baseball was held dormant at the plate, only mustering six hits in the 5-0 loss to Pitt on Saturday night at Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets (27-19, 9-14 ACC) got a terrific first start of the season from RHP Aeden Finateri (2-2), who allowed just one run on five hits in 5.0 innings of work, striking out six and walking none. RHP Jackson Vaughan then had two runs score against him in the sixth and RHP Dawson Brown had two runs score against him in the seventh. LHP Camron Hill then turned in 2.0 innings of one-run, four-strikeout work.

At the plate, Tech was held to just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position as it was held off the scoreboard for the first time this season. Kristian Campbell, Jake DeLeo, Stephen Reid, Angelo Dispigna, Jackson Finley and Tyler Minnick recorded a hit apiece.

The Panthers (21-23, 9-12 ACC) were led by Kyle Hess, who finished with two hits, including a two-run homer. RHP Logan Evans (4-2) went 7.0 innings and allowed just four hits with six strikeouts for the win.

Georgia Tech will return for the rubber game against Pitt on Sunday, May 7. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.

Multimedia:

Postgame Press Conference

Alexander-Tharpe Fund

The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.

For the latest information on the Georgia Tech baseball team, follow us on Twitter (@GTBaseball), Facebook, Instagram (@gt_baseball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.

ATLANTA - Here is the latest restaurant news from around metro Atlanta and sometimes beyond. If you'd like to submit an item to added to this list or a future list, send an email to [email protected].

NFA Burger's Burger Benefit is happening May 7 starting at 11 a.m. Up to 3 burger makers at a time will prepare their own version of the burger from the movie "The Menu." Guests purchase tickets for the time slot of their choice in advance, without knowing who will be assigned to which time slot,. Tickets include on burger and fries. All proceeds will benefit local nonprofit Giving Kitchen.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NFA Burger by @BillysBurgers (@nfaburger)

Gusto!, which is based in Atlanta, is opening its 12th location and 5th drive-thru in Tucker on May 15. The new shop will be led by Alex McGlashan and Erin Williams. Grand opening festivities include a free drive-thru event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 13. Guests must be in the drive-thru line by 1 p.m. to score a free meal and beverage, kids included!

Chai Pani Decatur is hosting a five-course dinner to celebrate the release of Chef Reem Asssil's cookbook "Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora" on May 10. All tickets include a welcome cocktail and copy of the cookbook. Cost is $119 per person.

Aveline at Kimpton Shane Hotel in Midtown Atlanta is kicking off its patio season next week. Aveline under the stars is happening 6 to 9 p.m. May 12. There will be spring cocktails and festive bites from Hartley and Aveline's new spring menus. There will also be a live DJ. Yappy Hour is taking place 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 18 in partnership with Puppy United and PALS. There will be spring cocktails, delights and bites, and good vibes.

Taste of Alpharetta on May 11 in downtown Alpharetta will feature local restaurants including Cattle Shed, Breakdown Burger, Curry Up Now, Eggroll Boyz, Foundation Social Eatery, Jinya Ramen Bar, Auntie Vee's, Restaurant Holmes and Smokejack BBQ. Tickets cost $1 each, with bites ranging in price from $2-$8. The event also features a kids zone and live music.

Powder Springs third-annual seafood festival Bringing the Sea to the Springs is happening May 12-14. Vendors and festivities will be centered around Thurman Springs Park. There will be plenty of seafood (and other food to choose from), arts and crafts for sale, live music by local musicians and others, and fun things for the kids.

Sankranti Indian Kitchen is now open on North Decatur Road near Emory University. The restaurant serves customizable curry bowls, kathi rolls, pulao, and traditional Indian appetizers for lunch and dinner daily. Meat, vegetarian, and vegan dishes are available to suit any palate. Guests who dine at the new Emory Village restaurant during its first three months in business will receive a 20 percent off coupon that can be used during a future visit.

Lamb Shack, the popular ghost kitchen run out of Kyma in Buckhead, has extended its hours in response to the demand for high quality and casual Greek Food. New hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Additionally, Chef. Pano I. Karatossos' Lamb Shack will host surprise pop-up lunches starting in June. Upcoming special events include grand opening of the Champagne Patio with a Champagne Social on May 18. Tickets are $39 inclusive. Lamb Dinners are also back by popular demand. They will take place the last Sunday of every month at 6 p.m. starting May 21. The lamb will be on display for the final hour during a "Toast and Roast" in Kyma’s outdoor garden, over cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. From there, guests will enjoy a menu of traditional Greek spreads, Kyma’s famous Grilled Octopus, Greek Salad and a tasting of Whole Roasted Lamb with Tzatiki, followed by a traditional Greek dessert of Loukoumades and Baklava. All courses will include wine pairings. Tickets are $160 inclusive.

There's a new SONIC location in Sandy Springs at 5903 Roswell Road. The new Sandy Springs Drive-In will is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 7 a.m. until 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Last fall, SONIC opened its LaGrange, Georgia, location and is planning to open locations in Cornelia, Blairsville and Fayetteville by early 2024. In total, SONIC will provide more than 200 jobs for the Atlanta community across the five locations.

Bomb Biscuit Atlanta, which started as a food stall, now has a full restaurant on Highland Avenue NE. Menu highlights include the Glori-Fried Chicken Biscuit, Big Country Ham Biscuit, Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit, It's All Gravy Biscuit, The Pimento Chick Biscuit, hash and eggs, chicken-n-waffles, and buttermilk biscuits. There are also vegan and gluten-free biscuits.

A new food hall -- Citizens Market -- has opened at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead. Food offerings include Umami Burger, Krispy Rice, Sam's Crispy Chicken, Sa’Moto, EllaMia, Cicci di Carne, El Pollo Verde, and Soom Soom, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. There's also a full-serve indoor/outdoor bar that features local beers.

Carmel is opening May 16 in Buckhead Village. It's the 6th restaurant from Baum and Oliva Restaurant Group to open since 2015. The idea behind Carmel is to give diners an experience that "encapsulates a general coastal atmosphere, rather than focusing on food from a single locality."

Flavor Rich and Hen Mother Cookhouse in Suwanee have made it on Yelp's Top 100 Brunch Spots in the U.S. Flavor Rich (No. 8) is known for its decadent Peach Cobbler French Toast and Hen Mother Cookhouse (No. 51) is known for its mouthwatering Breakfast Egg Sandwich.

An automated PizzaForno pizza machine is now open in Atlanta at 3861 Roswell Road in the Buckhead neighborhood. The machine can bake an artisan pizza in less than 3 minutes, 24 hours a day. Pizzas include pepperoni, BBQ chicken, four cheese blend, Hawaiian, Meat Lovers and Vegetarian.

Fogon and Lions in Alpharetta is celebrating its first anniversary with a party on May 18. There will be pinatas, specialty cocktails, live entertainment and of course, birthday cake. Chef Julio Delgado and his team are excited to showcase their appreciation for the unparalleled support from the Alpharetta community this past year.

Tickets are now available for Colony Square's Taste on the Square on June 22. There will be food samples from participating CS restaurants, lime music from Party Nation, specialty cocktails (sponsored by Gray Whale Gin), live entertainment, and photo ops. Early bird tickets are $75 per person through May 31. Regular tickets are $95 per person through June 22 or until sold out.

Gezzo's Cantina is now open on Marietta Boulevard NW. Menu highlights include fresh guacamole, ceviche, baja chicken eggrolls, loaded nachos, coconut curry rice bowl, jerk chicken rice bowl, carne asada, tempura fish, gulf shrimp, fajita burrito, teriyaki chicken burrito, surf & turf burrito, quesadillas and more.

Shake Shack has unveiled a new veggie burger and non-dairy shake and frozen custard. The veggie burger is packed with mushrooms, sweet potatoes, carrots, farro and quinoa. It's topped with American cheese, crispy onions, pickles and ShackSauce.

A new Italian restaurant in Buckhead Village will appeal to Formula One Fans. Yeppa and Co. features dishes from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Menu highlights meat and cheese boards; spaghetti, gnocchi, linguine and rigatoni; antipasti and antipasti skewers; chicken and veal shank; and desserts.

A popular Inman Park restaurant, Delbar, is opening a new location in Alpharetta on May 10. It is replace Traditions Indian Cuisine on Old Milton Parkway. Menu highlights include adas polo (lentil rice dish made with tahdig), gheimeh bademjoon (lamb shank stew), Chilean sea bass spiced with saffron, and chinjeh (prime sirloin with saffron, onions, and yogurt marinade) during dinner. The restaurant will initially be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and will add lunch service and weekend brunch in the summer.

Forza Storico on Howell Mill Road is taking its cocktail hour to new heights by offering a new weekly event -- Night in Rome. The weekly event will feature a live FJ from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and select cocktails and wines.

O'Charley's is celebrating its anniversary with Free Pie Wednesday during the month of May. The offer is available for dine-in guests only at participating locations. Pies include the Key Lime Pie, Caramel Pie and Cobbler.

Tyde Tate Kitchen now has a full-service restaurant on Mitchell Street SW. Menu highlights include shrimp rolls, sweet chili crispy tofu, steamed pork dumplings, basil chicken, chicken curry puffs, pad Thai, curry beef, Thai-style fried rice and more.