INEXCUSABLE LOSS
There were two inexcusables in the 9th. But reversing one of those would’ve prevented the other from ever being possible.
I made a New Year’s Resolution of sorts following last year’s World Series title: to not speak one negative word about Brian Snitker throughout the 2022 regular & postseason.
Well, almost made it to September.
The Two Inexcusables
1) Kenley walking in the walkoff run.
Losing this game to the division-leading Cardinals in itself wasn’t inexcusable. Walking in the walkoff run however, is inexcusable.
Walking batters gives your defense no chance to prevent runners from getting on base, OBVIOUSLY. Walking a batter with the bases loaded in the 9th during a tie game gives your team no chance of winning.
The method in which Kenley surrendered the win may be inexcusable, but Kenley shouldn’t have been the guy pitching to Tyler O’Neill right there.
2) Brian Snitker sat there on the top step and watched the 9th inning unfold.
The Braves started the bottom of the 9th inning with a one-run lead. This is how that went:
Lars Nootbaar-Groundout
Brendan Donovan-Double
Wild Pitch (Donovan to 3rd)
Paul Goldschmidt-Walk
Nolan Arenado-Hit By Pitch
Corey Dickerson-RBI Single
Tyler O’Neill-Walkoff Walk
In a tie game during a pennant race, there’s no way you leave your closer in after a double, wild pitch, & walk; with Arenado, Dickerson, & O’Neill coming up. It was clear from the get-go that Kenley didn’t have it, including his cutter. The bullpen should’ve been active so as to be prepared to stop the bleeding if need be. At the very least, to have somebody ready for the 10th once St. Louis tied the game.
But nope, Brian sat there & was content being a spectator for the Atlanta collapse.
I’m not going to go as far as calling for Snitker’s job, like a lot of folks. He out-managed multiple managers on his way to a championship last season. But it’s also no secret that bullpen management is a glaring weakness in his repertoire.
I don’t know if Mark DeRosa or Ron Washington would be any better, but Brian’s time is approaching.