Return to Atlanta doesn’t go well for Dodgers’ Brandon Beachy

A return to Turner Field wasn’t as much as a homecoming for Brandon Beachy as it was a sobering indication of how far he remains from pitching how he once did for the Altanta Braves.

Beachy’s second start this season was as disheartening as the first, as the right-hander was charged with four runs in four innings in the Dodgers’ 7-5 defeat to his former team Monday night.

“Frustrated,” Beachy said. “Very frustrated.”

He pitched only four innings in his previous start, which marked his comeback from his second major elbow operation.

Manager Don Mattingly declined to say whether Beachy would pitch in five days against the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Beachy’s performance figures to intensify the Dodgers’ search for starting pitching depth leading into the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline.

The team isn’t particularly enthusiastic about its in-house options.

Carlos Frias, who was replaced by Beachy in the rotation, remains on the 15-day disabled because of lower-back problems.

Triple-A right-hander Joe Wieland failed to complete five innings in his only major league start this season. Scott Baker, another triple-A right-hander who auditioned for a place in the rotation, had a 5.73 earned-run average in his two starts for the Dodgers.

As for former first-round draft pick Zach Lee, he probably would have started a game by now if the front office viewed him as a promising choice. Lee is 23 and in his fifth season as a professional pitcher. He was called up as a long reliever Saturday, only to be sent back to triple A without delivering a pitch.

Beachy said he expects to take his next turn in the rotation.

“I have to,” he said.

But considering the team has used 12 starting pitchers this season, he acknowledged the decision-makers could opt for a change.

“I try not to think about that as much as I can,” he said. “It’s obviously back there.”

Before this month, Beachy’s last game was in August 2013.

“Obviously, two years is a long time to get back in,” Mattingly said. “I think we see some signs of that.”

Beachy started slowly Monday, serving up a two-run home run to Nick Markakis in the first inning. The home run was Markakis’ first this season.

“That’s the way it’s going,” Beachy said. “It takes me a little bit to get settled in.”

Beachy settled down.

But with two outs in the fourth inning, he walked pitcher Matt Wisler to load the bases.

“Obviously, that’s unacceptable,” Beachy said. “I just can’t do it.”

Jace Peterson punished Beachy for his mistake, doubling down the left-field line to drive in two runs and double the Braves’ lead to 4-0.

“I don’t even think about that play,” Beachy said. “It’s how I got to the point. That’s where I failed.”

Alex Guerrero pinch-hit for Beachy in the fifth inning.

“The stuff’s there,” Beachy said. “The stuff feels good. It’s just a matter of executing. I have to get better. I plan to do that.”

With his career at a crossroads, Beachy said he didn’t have the luxury of enjoying his return to Turner Field, his home the previous five seasons.

“Had I had eight quality starts in a row coming into today, maybe that’s something I would let myself think about,” Beachy said. “But that’s just not the case.”

UP NEXT: Brett Anderson (5-5, 3.17 ERA) will face the Braves and Alex Wood (6-6, 3.76) on Tuesday at 4 p.m. PDT at Turner Field. TV: SportsNet LA; Radio: 570, 1020.