When a trio of Braves relievers gave up six runs in one inning in a 6-0 opening-day loss against the Mets in New York, there was plenty of hand-wringing and “here we go again” lamenting in Braves Country.
But the bullpen bounced back with six scoreless innings the next game in a 12-inning win against the Mets, and that second-game performance was much more indicative of what the Braves expected from relievers this season and a lot closer to how they’ve performed since opening day.
Three relievers pitched a scoreless inning apiece in Saturday’s 4-2 win against San Diego to extend the Braves bullpen’s scoreless-innings streak to 13.
The streak ended in Sunday’s 9-2 win against the Padres when a passed ball allowed an unearned run to score in the eighth inning while left-hander Ian Krol was in the game, but Braves relievers still haven’t allowed an earned run in their past 15 innings and have a 2.20 ERA in 10 games since the opening-day debacle.
“They’ve been really good,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “They all have, really. That’s what you need.”
The rundown on the key bullpen contributors:
Closer Jim Johnson has allowed one hit and no walks with four strikeouts in three innings while converting three consecutive saves since blowing a save April 9 in a 10-inning loss at Pittsburgh.
Setup man Arodys Vizcaino has not allowed an earned run in six appearances this season, giving up five hits with no walks and five strikeouts in six innings.
Jose Ramirez entered with two on and none out in the seventh inning Saturday and retired the next two batters on a line-out and a double-play grounder, making it three consecutive perfect outings for the right-hander since blowing a save in that same April 9 game at Pittsburgh. He’s stranded all four inherited base runners this season.
Left-hander Eric O’Flaherty, after allowing one hit, two runs and three walks while recording just one out in the opening-day loss at New York, had retired all 10 batters faced in four subsequent appearances.
Johnson, the veteran leader along with O’Flaherty, thinks the unit’s early problems were partly a result of starting the season on the road in rough conditions in New York and Pittsburgh. The Braves started their four-game winning streak at Miami and continued it through the first three games of their home-opening series at new SunTrust Park.
“That first road trip with the travel, different game times – I mean, we’re kind of creatures of habit, and just getting back home and having somewhat of a routine (has helped),” Johnson said. “And also, the starting pitchers have been going deeper in the games, helping us out, not putting too much of a burden on us, putting us in good spots. It’s nice to get out there on a consistent basis in good situations where it’s not a mop-up spot and just getting work because you need work.”
Braves catcher Tyler Flowers said Atlanta’s bullpen has the essentials of a top-flight bullpen including power arms, leadership, competition and camaraderie that makes their jobs easier over the course of a 162-game season.
“It’s one big team and we’ve got a close-knit group as it is, but that’s also like a little team within the team out there (in the bullpen),” Flowers said. “They spend a lot of time together every day out there in that little room and other little rooms on the road. I’m sure there’s some friendly competition; every guy wants to be the closer, and if not the closer you want to be the setup guy, and if you’re not him you want to be the seventh-inning guy, and on down the line.”
Through Saturday, the last lead the bullpen failed to protect was the April 9 series finale at Pittsburgh.
“I felt like on the road trip, if we were going to win it had to be from behind,” Johnson said. “We weren’t scoring first and, you know, when you put up a lead and maybe tack on a run or two it makes our job a little bit easier just to step on their throat finish out the game. We’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing and having a good time doing it.”
Flowers believes that some of the enjoyment the relievers have stems from Johnson, 34, who signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension with the Braves on the final day of the 2016 season.
Twice a 50-save closer with the Orioles in 2012-2013, Johnson struggled mightily with Oakland and Detroit in 2014 (combined 7.09 ERA) before reviving his career with the Braves in 2015. He stuggled again (10.13 ERA) after being traded to the Dodgers late in the 2015 season and was left off their playoff roster, then returned to the Braves in 2016 following offseason hernia surgery.
Though he comes across as no-nonsense and always serious, away from public view Johnson has another side.
“Honestly (the bullpen chemistry) starts with some shenanigans,” Flowers said. “The things that people don’t know about and don’t need to know about, I think that kind of sets the tone and kind of pushes (Johnson) towards the top to begin with, plus what he’s achieved over his career and what he continues to do — I think there’s a lot of respect from guys for him, just what he’s done and what he’s been through.”
When Johnson signed his contract extension, leadership of the bullpen was an understood part of the deal.
“I worry about my realm, I worry about the guys in the bullpen,” Johnson said. “We’re a team within the team down there. The bullpen guys are usually referred to as, like, the offensive linemen – nobody knows about us till we give up the sack or blow a lead. We’re just kind of invisible. But we know what we’re doing, we pull for each other, if we work as a unit together that’s all we’re looking to do.”
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