Mets broadcasters Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, and Ron Darling expressed strong disapproval of the Atlanta Braves' decision to leave pitcher Connor Thomas in a July 27 game against the New York Mets, with some calling the move "criminal."
The SNY crew was visibly upset during the broadcast as Thomas, in only his fourth career game, struggled mightily, surrendering 11 runs on 10 hits, including three home runs, over 2 ⅔ innings. He threw 78 pitches and issued five walks before being replaced in the eighth inning by a position player.
"I'm sorry, I just think that's criminal what we just witnessed," said Keith Hernandez, a former Mets captain and Hall of Famer. "Poor kid – you want to give him a hug…literally I'm sick to my stomach. I'm not a happy camper at all, pretty disgusted with it."
Thomas entered the game in the sixth inning with the score tied 3-3. He immediately gave up a go-ahead two-run homer to Mets shortstop Marcus Semien. The Braves then allowed four runs in the seventh, including a three-run home run from Tyrone Taylor, before Thomas allowed four more runs in the eighth. He faced 23 batters and retired only eight.
"For that he's going to get a ticket back to the minor leagues tomorrow, and it's an unfortunate byproduct of the way the game is played these days," Cohen remarked during the broadcast, referring to the pitcher's likely demotion. "Can't get through a nine-inning game?"
The broadcasters debated potential solutions, with Hernandez questioning the need for an expanded bullpen. "How many pitchers do we need? Do we need 15? We have 13," he said.
The Braves had been involved in five consecutive one-run games leading up to this matchup, suggesting a potential reluctance to utilize their bullpen extensively. However, the SNY crew felt a more established arm should have been available to prevent such an extended and difficult outing for a young pitcher.
The Mets went on to win the game 14-3. Thomas's performance marked a difficult night on the mound, drawing sharp criticism from the broadcast booth for the perceived mismanagement of the situation.