Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker took a big risk in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the NLDS, and it paid off handsomely for him.
Snitker was left with a difficult choice in the bottom of the seventh. He had the pitcher’s spot up with two outs and a man on first, with his team leading 1-0. The catch? Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz had thrown seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits, walking none, and striking out seven. He had done it all on just 81 pitches.
It would have been very easy for Snitker to let Foltynewicz hit for himself, especially in light of the fact that Atlanta’s bullpen struggled mightily in Game 1. He ignored that temptation, pinch-hitting Adam Duvall for Foltynewicz. The move was widely criticized on social media, and some boos could be heard from the home crowd in Atlanta when Duvall was announced as the pinch hitter.
Either some of the 42,911 fans at SunTrust Park are cheering on Adam DUV-all, or they're booing Brian Snitker for lifting Mike Foltynewicz for pinch hitter Duvall here in the seventh.
Context: Foltynewicz is at 81 pitches, and the Braves bullpen hasn't been great.
— Joe Trezza (@JoeTrezz) October 4, 2019
The last laugh went to Snitker, as Duvall hit a two-run home run to center field to expand Atlanta’s lead to 3-0.
We are Duvall witnesses #RELENTLESS pic.twitter.com/yKLkn3SUFy
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 4, 2019
After a poor Game 1 that also included a lot of unnecessary drama, Snitker has to feel good about his call. It could have very easily backfired on him, but he got the last laugh here.
