The Atlanta Braves are facing criticism after a disappointing series against the San Diego Padres, falling to a 25–27 record and remaining in third place in the NL East. Instead of blaming his players for the team’s defensive woes, manager Brian Snitker pointed to another potential culprit: the playing surface at Truist Park.

Sunday’s 5–3 defeat capped off a rough stretch for third baseman Austin Riley, who made a key error — his fifth in 15 games and seventh of the season, ranking him fifth in Major League Baseball for most errors. When asked about Riley’s defensive struggles, Snitker defended him, saying, “I don’t think it’s all him if you want to know the truth,” as reported by MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.

Many interpreted Snitker’s comments as a subtle jab at the Truist Park grounds crew, especially since four of Riley’s recent errors occurred at home. That detail has fueled speculation that poor field conditions might be contributing to the defensive issues.

Brian Snitker

In Sunday’s game, Riley misplayed a routine ground ball that allowed Luis Arraez to get on base. Moments later, Gavin Sheets hit a two-run homer, extending San Diego’s lead and once again shining a light on Atlanta’s defensive lapses.

Snitker’s remarks sparked debate among fans online. Some accused him of dodging accountability, while others backed his assessment, citing irregular bounces on the infield throughout the season. The Braves are now 8.5 games behind the Phillies and trail the Mets by two games.

As the pressure builds, the spotlight is on Atlanta’s defense. Whether the root of the problem is Riley, the field, or a combination of both, the Braves will need to find solutions quickly to stay in playoff contention.