Braves rookie pitcher Tyrell Jenkins found himself in unfamiliar territory.
After starter John Gant left the game in the third inning with a left oblique strain, Jenkins was forced into long-relief duty.
“It was good to get out there and throw multiple innings,” Jenkins said. “At the same time, I hate that it happened to Gant and I hate that I couldn’t keep us a bit closer. I did what I could and I will be better from here on out.”
Jenkins pitched well in his four inning of work. He allowed four runs and six hits in his outing. He also had three strikeouts to his credit. His only mistake was allowing a three-run homer to Cleveland Indians outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall.
“I felt strong and felt good when I got pulled,” Jenkins said. “The biggest thing was to try and get my pitches back to where they were. My curveball was a little flat early on and my fastball was too. I think getting through those four innings was kind of big and helped the guys out a little bit.”
The performance was appreciated by Braves interim manager Brian Snitker. He knew Jenkins had some ability to go longer innings due to his success in the minor leagues. Yet, given the circumstances, he was impressed with the rookie’s moxie on the mound.
“He threw the ball really well,” Snitker said. “He gave up the one homer but other than that, it was his first extended outing that he has had here and he was in the zone. He did okay.”
After the game, Jenkins understood the areas that need more refinement. He feels like he can correct the mistakes before his next appearance.
“I wasn’t the best tonight and I knew that,” he said. “(Catcher Tyler) Flowers stuck with me back there and I just got to get better and come out here and fight. I got to do better for these guys.”
The 8-3 loss to the Indians pushed the Braves overall record to 26-50. The team has lost several pitchers to injury over the last couple of weeks. Gant joins a long list of starters like Williams Perez, Mike Foltynewicz among others.
Snitker says that the team has to keep going but says it tough to lose a guy like Gant.
“He had been pitching and competing really well to keep us in games,” he said. “I hate to see that for him to have a setback like that. He was on a good role.”
The Braves are back in action on Tuesday night against the Indians. They will send pitcher Matt Wisler to the mound against Corey Kluber.
