The defending champion Atlanta Braves picked up their first win of the season last night, but things got dicey in the final frame at Truist Park as Kenley Jansen made his first appearance in a Braves uniform.
With the cushion of a 7-3 lead, the former Dodger closer toed the rubber and walked the first batter he faced. Things snowballed from there as a few softly hit balls found openings, leading to three runs for Cincinnati. With the tying run on first, Jansen got Jonathan India to fly out to center field on his 30th pitch of the inning, allowing Braves fans to breathe a sigh of relief.
For those unfamiliar with Jansen’s past, joining Sam and Greg on 92.9 The Game this morning, Talking Chop’s Cory McCartney said it’s not always a thing of beauty.
“I know the Will Smith roller coaster ride at times got some people’s heart rates elevated. 70% of his outings last year, he saw more than three batters. Well, Kenley Jansen saw five or more batters more times than Smith did a year ago…It has the occasional ability to get a little bit sticky with him,” McCartney said.
Putting on my optimist hat, I’d say that after joining a new team for the first time in his career and coming off a shortened spring training, Jansen will settle in as the season moves along. Postgame, manager Brian Snitker wasn’t worried about Jansen’s rocky 9th inning and also chose to look on the bright side.
“These relievers, it was a limited spring for them too. So, they really haven't gotten the work they normally would in a regular year with an extended spring training. I’m glad we won the game. It wasn’t all that bad for him to go out and throw that many pitches really,” he said.
In his first appearance for the Braves out of the bullpen on opening night, Collin McHugh gave up a three-run home run to Cincinnati’s Brandon Drury.
As for the Braves starter last night, Charlie Morton tossed a gem in his first start since fracturing his fibula in the World Series. Morton went 5.1 innings and struck out five batters in the winning effort.
At the plate, newcomer Matt Olson delivered a 3-5 performance and was robbed of another extra-base hit. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud knocked in three of the Braves' seven runs.
Game three of the series gets underway tonight at 7:20.
