3 Takeaways: Atlanta Braves edge Phillies, trim magic number to 8
2. The once-rebuilt Atlanta bullpen appears to be playing to its potential
We all remember that time not so much earlier in the season in which there were serious concerns about Atlanta’s obvious Achilles heel: the bullpen.
Too many opposing batters walked, too many saves blown, too much skepticism that this unit could survive the pressure-cooker of playoff baseball.
Related Story. Bullpen still has some question marks. light
A flurry of moves at the trade deadline to bolster the Braves’ relief corps did not provide immediate improvement.
But boy, did it impress on Wednesday night.
In a game where there wasn’t much offensive support to speak of and Dallas Keuchel exiting after 6 innings, the task was given to the Braves ‘pen to record the final nine outs.
Brian Snitker called upon the three guys that the team added in late July: Chris Martin, Shane Greene, and Mark Melancon.
And they delivered.
Chris Martin did a baseball rarity of an immaculate inning: 1 inning pitched, nine strikes, 3 strikeouts.
light. Related Story. The oddity of the immaculate inning
Shane Greene didn’t surrender a hit, either, in his scoreless frame.
Closer Mark Melancon battled through a bit of adversity with a couple of hits allowed — and some terrible calls by the home plate umpire on pitches that should have been strikes — but prevailed with his sixth save of the season for the Atlanta Braves.
Ultimately, it’s these kind of performances from the Atlanta bullpen that would carry the team far into the postseason.
Clean innings from the relievers in tight ballgames is a welcome sight for Braves fans.