SE Atlanta News

A frustration-filled road trip ended in gratifying fashion as the Braves snapped a five-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Orioles on Thursday afternoon at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Reynaldo López lowered his MLB-leading ERA to 1.69, and Marcell Ozuna delivered a significant early blow against one of the game’s hottest pitchers.

“Where we were today, that win is huge,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.

This was a much-needed victory for a team that had lost 23 of its past 39 games and 17 of their past 26. Instead of dropping six consecutive contests on a nine-game road trip, the Braves headed home hoping they have halted the offensive struggles that have plagued them over the past six weeks.

“To get a win against a team like this that has been hot is definitely huge,” López said through an interpreter. “I think it starts to give the sense that you can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You’re hoping it sort of sparks some resemblance of the team we were last year, where we were attacking teams in the first inning.”

The 146 first-inning runs scored by the 2023 Braves stand as the third-highest total in AL/NL history. The 24 first-inning runs tallied by this year's Braves entering Thursday stood as the seventh-lowest total among all MLB teams.

There was relief when Ozuna doubled after Michael Harris II singled and Ozzie Albies doubled to start Thursday’s game against Cole Irvin, who entered with a 1.26 ERA over his past seven starts. The Braves had squandered Harris’ leadoff triple during Tuesday’s series opener and left the bases loaded in Saturday’s loss to the Nationals.

Ozuna’s double to right-center field gave the Braves a 2-0 lead and increased his NL-leading RBI total to 57. It also halted Atlanta’s woes with runners in scoring position.

When the Braves won 19 of their first 36 games, they hit .312 (88-for-282) with runners in scoring position. They hit .205 (68-for-334) in those situations during a subsequent 16-23 stretch and .198 (38-for-192) during their recent skid carried into this series finale.

"Sometimes, you’re going to make good pitches and they’re going to hit it -- and they get paid to,” Irvin said. “That’s a sleeping ballclub right now. They’re very good, and they’re able to put some damage up. I’m just thankful to keep them in the ballpark today and limit damage."

Irvin's words confirm that opposing pitchers still respect the Braves’ lineup despite Ronald Acuña Jr.'s absence and extended offensive struggles which began nearly a month before Acuña suffered his season-ending knee injury.

Harris and Albies have shared leadoff duties in Acuña’s absence, but it now appears Harris will be at the top of the lineup daily. Putting him ahead of Albies creates speed and potential run-producing opportunities for Ozuna, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley, who hopes to break free from his first-half slump.

Albies highlighted his four-hit day with two doubles positioning him to score in both innings while driving Adam Duvall home with a two-out single in another inning.

Though clutch hits weren’t abundant—the Braves went 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position and stranded ten runners—there were enough hits to provide López with adequate support.

López has earned just four wins through his first twelve starts despite allowing two earned runs or fewer eleven times without allowing more than three runs per outing. If consistently backed by offense over recent months, Atlanta would have won more than eight games he started.

Instead of dwelling on past struggles, Atlanta looks forward hoping Thursday provided needed momentum for future success.

“It’s a huge win,” Albies said. “I’m happy we won so that we can set the tone in a more positive way.”

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