Blake Snell struggles in season debut as Dodgers fall to Braves
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) throws to the plate during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. LOS ANGELES — The lights, the bobbleheads, the sold-out crowd and the anticipation all pointed toward a Hollywood return for Blake Snell on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. Instead, the Dodgers were reminded that even for a two-time Cy Young winner, there is no substitute for real game action.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) throws to the plate during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) throws to the plate during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers dropped a 7-2 game to the Atlanta Braves before 50,209 fans on Saturday night as Snell’s long-awaited season debut unraveled early against one of baseball’s top lineups.
For the first time since Game 7 of last year’s World Series in Toronto, Snell took a major league mound in a meaningful game. The rust showed immediately. By the end of the second inning, the Braves had already built a 5-0 lead and turned what was supposed to be a celebratory return into a grind.
Snell needed 58 pitches just to survive the first two innings, allowing six hits, five runs and two walks while fighting his command throughout the night. “It was frustrating,” Snell said afterward. “The goal is to give up no runs, so giving up five is pretty frustrating.
” The night spiraled in the second inning. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) talks with manager Dave Roberts (30) in the dugout in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) talks with manager Dave Roberts (30) in the dugout in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium.
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