Festa (2-4) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six-plus innings.
Festa was quite good in the outing, and he entered the seventh inning locked in a 1-1 pitcher's duel with NL Cy Young favorite Chris Sale. However, Festa opened that seventh frame with a walk of Marcell Ozuna; he was subsequently given the hook, and Atlanta ended up putting up four runs (only one of which Festa was responsible for) in the inning. The rookie right-hander did achieve a career milestone with his first MLB quality start, and his seven punchouts tied for the second-highest mark of his big-league tenure through nine outings.