It was easy to miss amid all the Week 1 NFL action, but the Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners played one of the wilder games of the MLB season on Sunday.
With the Braves trailing by four runs and down to their final strike, Atlanta had a five-run, two-out rally to astonishingly take the lead on the Mariners in the ninth. They just needed closer Kenley Jansen to pitch a clean bottom half to leave Seattle with an improbable series win.
Jansen would give Atlanta anything but that.
After getting the first out in the ninth, Jansen gave up a pair of home runs — one to Julio Rodriguez and a walk-off shot to Eugenio Suarez — as the Mariners escaped with an 8-7 win.
Now, the Braves acquired Kenley Jansen in the offseason because they believed that the longtime Dodgers closer had the ability to take Atlanta’s bullpen to the next level. They demoted Will Smith to a set-up role before trading him at the deadline, but as Jansen started to struggle, the acquisition of Raisel Iglesias seemed to signal uncertainty about Jansen.
You just wouldn’t pick up on that notion by hearing what manager Brian Snitker had to say after the game.
"He's leading the league in saves."
Brian Snitker on Kenley Jansen ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/swLmqH9Swi
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 11, 2022
When asked about Jansen’s latest blown save, Snitker defended his closer and pointed out that Jansen leads the league in saves. And sure, Jansen does lead the league in saves — he’s also second in blown saves.
But just like pitcher win-loss record, that stat can be deceptive as Jansen has still allowed runs in seven of those saves. The fact is that in Jansen’s past seven appearances, he has an 11.12 ERA with three homers and seven earned runs allowed. He’s blown three saves in that span and appears to be getting worse with each appearance.
In a pennant race with the now-NL East-leading New York Mets, a dependable closer is key. So while Snitker wasn’t going to throw Jansen under the bus to the media, Braves fans were still frustrated with the latest defense of Jansen.
This was how Twitter reacted
I’m sorry, but this is pathetic. Jansen alone has lost us like 5 games within the past two weeks. The quicker Snit realizes that Jansen isn’t capable of closing, the quicker we can win games https://t.co/MSLh2nPJyJ
— Matt Olson SZN (@atlxsports) September 12, 2022
This isn't 1986 anymore. https://t.co/ey9ftRqshh
— Brian (@sportsmatters) September 12, 2022
Absolutely foolproof logic by a brilliant baseball man here. Don’t listen to all the computer nerd losers telling you otherwise, Mr. Snitker. You keep Kenley Jansen in that closer role and keep on pitching him in high leverage situations. https://t.co/9qgfHV6g5W
— Michael Drago (@iammichaeldrago) September 12, 2022
This is eerily similar to the Mets of old dear god https://t.co/Pa0AAidaEs
— Trevor Williams™ should be a starter; 89-52 (@Mets_And_Others) September 12, 2022
Crazy to me how very smart orgs often employ the dumbest managers.
Astros with Baker, Dodgers with Roberts, Braves with Snitker, etc.
Feels counterintuitive, no? https://t.co/VJkur0ABpt
— EJNave (@twitchejnave) September 12, 2022
And only 1 away from leading the league in blown saves too https://t.co/wetlnTBTRl
— Stephen (@b_outliers) September 12, 2022
I get it.. you wanna have your players back. I'm not mad at Snit.. but the bats put up 5 runs in the 9th against a potential WS match up.. those are literally the games Kenley was brought here to close out. Do better or get replaced. https://t.co/SfzVY8sHkA
— Jordan Rager (@Jordan_Rager) September 12, 2022
"Don't make me come down there" https://t.co/HDEnXImD06 pic.twitter.com/JkEMxRZslR
— local bIogger (@fergoe) September 12, 2022
I CANNOT. https://t.co/IyXb54vPIv
— colleen 🍦 (@cmmcguire) September 12, 2022
I made a resolution to not say anything negative about World Champion Manager Brian Snitker this season & postseason. https://t.co/fu1gSzVc3X
— The Daily Braves (@thedailybraves) September 12, 2022
How did this clown win a WS 😭 https://t.co/JQlGjxKvAr
— ²¹ ⚡️(1-0) (@BoltUpDerwin) September 12, 2022
This is such a bad answer. You need to win these games. You play whoever is going to give you the best chance to win these games. Loyalty needs to be checked at the door. https://t.co/DrYQkmnt8D
— Travis (@tanbull) September 12, 2022
And by comparison, Iglesias has allowed just one run in 15.2 innings since joining the Braves. The answer is right there in front of Snitker.
