Atlanta Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte appears to not have a problem with being pulled from Sunday’s game due to a lack of hustle.
During the game between the Braves and Milwaukee Brewers, Inciarte was thrown out in the third inning trying to tag up on a fly out by Ozzie Albies. In the fifth inning, Inciarte did not run out a pop fly he hit that was dropped by Brewers shortstop Tyler Saladino. Inciarte could have ended up at second base on the play. Instead, he only made it as far as first base. Albies hit a single to right field in the next at-bat, which could have resulted in a run for the Braves had Inciarte been on second base after the error.
After the game, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker confirmed he benched Inciarte for not hustling out of the batter’s box in the fifth inning. He also added that it cost his team a run.
Snitker confined he pulled Ender for not hustling on the ball that was dropped. “Cost us a run,” Snitker said.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) July 8, 2018
Inciarte said Snitker “did what he had to do” and was “ok” with the decision made by his manager.
Inciarte on being pulled from game: “He did what he had to do and I’m OK with it.”
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) July 8, 2018
Inciarte has been a fixture for the Braves in center field this season and one of the better performers in the National League defensively at the position. However, it Snitker clearly felt this was an opportunity to send a message, that appears to have been heard loud and clear.
