The Braves made an impressive comeback after a disappointing loss, securing a strong 9-2 victory against Oakland that ended a challenging five-game losing streak.
Ronald Acuña Jr., who missed the previous game due to low back tightness, wasted no time in reasserting his impact on the game. He launched a 429-foot home run to kick off the scoring, giving Atlanta a quick 1-0 lead. The Braves continued to showcase their offensive strength, with Matt Olson contributing a single, Austin Riley hitting a double, and Drake Baldwin smashing a three-run homer—marking the first time this season that the Braves scored four or more runs in the first inning.
The scoring frenzy persisted into the second inning, where Riley hit a 408-foot homer to extend the lead to 6-0. Acuña added another home run with an opposite-field shot in the third, bringing the score to 7-0. Oakland managed to score a run in the fifth, but a solo shot from Marcell Ozuna—his first since mid-June—pushed the Braves’ lead to 8-1. With Ozuna potentially heating up as the trade deadline approaches, his performance could be beneficial for both him and the team. Jurickson Profar capped off the scoring for Atlanta with an RBI double, concluding the game at 9-2.
On the pitching side, Bryce Elder delivered a strong performance, working 6.2 innings while allowing just two runs, striking out seven, and issuing only one walk. This outing could indicate a positive turnaround for him following a few rough starts. The relief squad, featuring Dylan Lee, Daysbel Hernandez, and Rafael Montero, successfully maintained the team’s lead without any drama.
As the series in Sacramento wraps up on Thursday evening, the Braves will look to Spencer Strider to build on this victory against lefty JP Sears, who has impressive recent shutdown performances despite higher season averages.
This victory not only provided a much-needed boost for the Braves’ morale but also showcased their potential as they push forward in the season.