The Braves’ post-trade deadline bliss of early August has given way to far less pleasant emotions, ranging from all-out panic (social media) to seeming bewilderment (Brian Snitker) to contemplative concern (front office) to knucklehead temper tantrum (Sean Newcomb).



Instead of the excited anticipation of Shane Greene’s walk-in music, this month has been punctuated by Newcomb turning a night into a cartoon. After helping blow a game in Miami the other night, Newcomb sealed the memory by kicking a metal trash can — something others might’ve wanted to do to him — and causing the can to crash into a fire extinguisher. The extinguisher punctured, and the can’s contents sprayed up a tunnel, caught the drift of a fan, turned into the Braves’ clubhouse and covered several players’ clothes, as well as creating a soupy fog in the room.



The Sporting News used to call its top reliever award “Fireman of the Year.” This...