Atlanta Braves Bullpen Collapses in Extra Innings

The Braves and Phillies matched one another almost pitch for pitch… for 9 innings.

The Atlanta Braves bullpen has bitten the team again as they fall to the Philadelphia Phillies 1-5 in extra innings. But this time, the Braves offense didn’t help matters by leaving runners in scoring position in five of the ten innings played.

Mike Foltynewicz (1-1, 2.93 ERA) started this game and pitched well, only allowing 1 run on 4 hits, 4 walks, and 8 strikeouts over 6 innings of work.

Despite the struggles of the Braves offense in this game, Ender Inciarte started to finally heat up going 3-5 with all three hits being lead off singles. The Braves were the first ones on the board when Preston Tucker served a full count 97 mph fast ball into right field to score Inciarte in the first inning.

Unfortunately the Braves offense would fail to score again despite having multiple opportunities to do so.

To make matters worse the bullpen for the Braves continued their onslaught of walks in this game giving up 6.

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad 10th Inning

Jose Ramirez (0-2, 17.05 ERA) entered the game in the top of the 10th inning looking to keep the game tied at 1-1. However, he started the inning with a walk to Scott Kingery who later stole second on a close play.

Cesar Hernandez stepped in looking to bunt the runner over to 3rd, but reached on an infield hit instead. Ramirez recovered slightly by getting Carlos Santana to strike out and Odubel Herrera to pop out to 3rd.

Even with a base open after Hernandez stole 2nd, and Arron Altherr (.077/.217/.231) on deck, Snitker decided to pitch to Rhys Hoskins – who had already recorded three strikeouts on the night. That decision backfired when Hoskins doubled down the right field line scoring two runs.

It Got Worse

Ramirez then walked Altherr (see slash line above) and allowed another double this time by Maikel Franco (.214/.271/.429) scoring two more runs.

He finally got out of the inning after he intentionally walked Andrew Knapp to face the pitcher, Ben Lively. This was due to  Gabe Kapler being out of position players.  Finally, the bleeding stopped was a strikeout of the pitcher.

Aside from a two out Dansby Swanson single, the Braves went down without much of a fight to give the Phillies a 5-1 win in extra innings to even up the series.

After back-to-back very poor performances, it looks like Jose Ramirez might be looking at a stint on the DL.

Don’t be surprised if you see a roster move by the Braves at some point tonight or tomorrow.

Next: Checking in with the minors

The Rubber Match/Series finale is tonight:  Wednesday, April 18th at 7:35 ET – McCarthy (2-0, 3.31 ERA) v. Velasquez (1-1, 3.52 ERA)