Braves lose heartbreaker to Dodgers

The offense scored five runs, but failed in some very key moments.

The Atlanta Braves faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series finale in a matchup that looked lopsided in the Dodgers’ favor. Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell was on the bump for the Dodgers against injury replacement call-up Bryce Elder who has struggled since June of 2023.

As it turns out, both starting pitchers lasted for less than half of the game, both pitching 4.0 innings.

The Braves come up to hit first and for the second night in a row scored on an error to take the 1-0 lead. Ozuna and Olson each walked which allowed Ozuna to score on a throwing error from Max Muncy. Nick Allen, who is slowly taking the starting job away from Orlando Arcia, hit a double to make the score 2-0 before the top of the inning ended.

Bryce Elder made a statement in his return in his first inning. He forced Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts to groundout and then struck out Teoscar Hernández on a sinker that painted the corner.

The Braves kept the momentum going in the second. Newly acquired Stuart Fairchild reached on an ugly error by Max Muncy (his second in as many innings) to get the ball rolling. He then moved to second on a wild pitch followed by a bunt single from Eli White. Ozzie Albies then came through in a big way with a double to make the score 3-0. Ozuna then walked to load the bases. Austin Riley struck out, but fortunately Matt Olson had a double of his own to plate two and make the score 5-0. Bryan De La Cruz almost came through with a 105.5 MPH rocket off the bat, but it was hit right at Mookie Betts.

Bryce Elder was not as fortunate in the second inning. He walked Michael Conforto to start the inning. He did get Will Smith to fly out but then Tommy Edman took him deep to center to make it 5-2. Elder was able to then settle down and force two straight groundouts.

The third inning was a silent one for the Braves offensively going three-up-three down. Elder came back out to pitch the third and was clearly settled down. He got Andy Pages to strike out and then sat down Ohtani and Betts via a fly out and groundout.

It looked like the Braves may get something going in the fourth. After a White line out and Albies strikeout, Ozuna walked again followed by a Riley single. However, Olson could not be the hero again and grounded out to end it. It was enough damage to end the night for Snell though. Snell ended the evening giving up five runs and four walks. Interestingly though, because of the errors none of the five runs were earned.

Bryce Elder was clearly wearing down in the fourth. He was able to strikeout Hernández again, but it went south from there. Conforto hit a solo shot to make the score 5-3. He then gave up a single to Will Smith followed by a walk to Tommy Edman. Luckily, Elder was able to sit down the next hitters. Elder’s night was over after the fourth with three hits, three earned runs, three walks, and six strikeouts.

The Braves had another three-up-three down inning in the fifth with De La Cruz and Nick Allen both striking out along the way. Enyel De Los Santos came in to pitch and hit the first batter he saw. He was able to make up for it though because even though Ohtani followed up with a single, Betts then hit into a double play via a line drive De Los Santos who threw it to Riley to get Pages out at third. He then was able to strikeout Hernández.

In the sixth, Chadwick Tromp led off the inning with a walk and now that Snell was no longer in, Eli White was replaced with Michael Harris. Harris then singled to put two on with zero outs. Albies then singled to load the bases with zero outs. What do we think, did the Braves score this inning? Nope. Ozuna flied out to center, Austin Riley struck out, and Matt Olson popped up to shortstop.

Pierce Johnson then came in for the Braves. He walked his first batter, but then struck out Will Smith. Tommy Edman then hit a single to Stuart Fairchild who made a gold glove level throw to third to get the outfield assist. Dylan Lee then came in and finished up the inning with a strikeout.

Former Brave Kirby Yates came in to pitch for the Dodgers in the seventh. The Braves yet again looked to possibly get some insurance. Nick Allan singled and then stole second. He then moved to third on a botched pickoff attempt. However, he was not able to be scored from third.

Dylan Lee stayed in for the seventh inning. He was able to get a strikeout and a fly out before Ohtani had a single. He was then replaced by Daysbel Hernández who got Betts to fly out.

The Braves did not get anything going in the eighth offensively. Teoscar Hernández flied out, but then Conforto singled. Brian Snitker then opted to bring in Raisel Iglesias. This did not work out as planned. Will Smith then walked. Tommy Edman then moved the runners over on a groundout. Max Muncy then made up for his two errors by hitting a two run double to tie up the game 5-5. Iglesias was able to end any further damage with a strikeout to end the inning.

The game is now tied in the ninth and the Braves had the heart of the order coming up, but Austin Riley and Matt Olson could not come through. They both grounded out and then Jarred Kelenic struck out to end the top of the ninth.

For whatever reason, Brian Snitker left Raisel Iglesias in the game after he struggled in the previous inning. He struck out Andy Pages, but Shohei Ohtani was the hero for the Dodgers by hitting a solo shot to walk in off in the bottom of the ninth. The Braves have now lost seven straight games to start the season.

The offense showed some spark tonight, but the fact that they had the bases loaded with no outs and the heart of the order up to bat yet had nothing to show for it is going to sting.

The Braves are off tomorrow, but will have their home opener against the Marlins on Friday at 7:15 EDT. where they will hopefully get their first win of the season.