After building a 4–0 lead in the sixth inning in Seattle, the Braves let JR Ritchie return to the mound—a decision that unraveled quickly. Ritchie surrendered a three-run homer, and after he was lifted, Tyler Kinley gave up the go-ahead runs in what became a 5–4 loss to the Mariners. On The Midday Show on 92.9 The Game, Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael broke down the choice to give the young starter another inning.
"The Braves got out to a nice lead and then the young guy got into some trouble and wasn't able to get out of it. I liked that they left him in it," says Andy Bunker. "I think they're 25-10, it's an American League team, he's from there, a tough spot, and how many times are you going to get to get a young guy a learning opportunity in a game like that or you can manage the bullpen like it's the playoffs every single game. If it's a 3-run HR in May and it makes you better in September, it's worth the cost."
