If you’re an Atlanta Braves fan, you might still be staring blankly at your screen, wondering what just happened. Because what unfolded today at Truist Park wasn’t just a loss—it was an all-time gut punch.
An 11-10 collapse to the Arizona Diamondbacks that instantly entered the annals of Braves baseball history for all the wrong reasons. And with that embarrassment still fresh, the Braves front office wasted no time cracking open the bullpen blender.
A Ninth-Inning Nightmare
Let’s call it what it was: a full-on meltdown. Atlanta led 10-3 going into the ninth. Fans were checking their phones, beating traffic, probably already counting the win. Then the bullpen came in. More specifically, Scott Blewett and Raisel Iglesias came in—and the wheels fell off.
Seven runs later, the Diamondbacks made history, winning a game they trailed by six or more runs in the ninth inning for the first time in franchise history. That’s 26 years of Diamondbacks baseball—and Atlanta just served them their greatest ninth-inning comeback ever.
On the flip side? The Braves hadn’t blown a lead like this in the ninth since 1973. Let that sink in. That’s Hank Aaron era-level collapse.
Roster Roulette: Dodd, Kimbrel, and a Blewett Exit
In the fallout, Atlanta made sweeping moves. Scott Blewett—who actually had a couple of solid long-relief outings before today—gave up five runs and became the roster casualty. He’s been designated for assignment. That opened up a 40-man spot for Craig Kimbrel, the legend himself, who’s headed back to the Braves for the first time in nearly a decade.
Yes, that Craig Kimbrel. The man with the iconic pre-pitch crouch, and the man who racked up 186 saves in a Braves uniform and is fifth all-time in MLB history. The man Braves fans never really stopped loving. He’s back, and he’s needed—badly.
Also returning is lefty Dylan Dodd, who was recalled from Triple-A to give the bullpen some depth after Daysbel Hernandez hit the IL with finger numbness. Dodd has already been up a couple of times this season and saw limited action, but he’ll likely be thrust into higher leverage with this bullpen in disarray.
Kimbrel’s Comeback—What It Could Mean For Braves
Kimbrel isn’t just a nostalgia play. The 37-year-old has pitched in 15 games for Gwinnett and looked sharp enough to earn this call-up. The Braves are betting on his veteran experience and postseason pedigree to stabilize a bullpen that—after today—can’t feel very confident.
It’s a bold pivot after a historic collapse. But sometimes, a franchise needs to hit the emergency button. The Braves didn’t just hit it—they slammed it with both fists.
Craig Kimbrel is walking back through that door, and Braves Country can only hope he’s bringing some late-inning magic with him. Because if today’s ninth inning taught us anything, it’s that this bullpen needs more than just a reset—it needs a revival.
