ATLANTA — In an intense battle against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Atlanta Braves managed to snag a victory in a close encounter, winning 4-3 on Sunday evening. While one win in six games against the team with Major League Baseball’s standout record might seem minor, it carried substantial weight for the Braves.
Austin Riley, instrumental in the triumph, highlighted the importance of the victory, “It’s huge.” Riley’s stellar performance, featuring two powerful two-run home runs, thrust the Braves into an early lead.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Riley remarked, “I think this is a really good ballclub here. We’ve shown it at times and struggled at other moments. This win is definitely a confidence booster, affirming we can hold our ground against top competition and grow from here.”
The Braves endured a rough start to the season with seven consecutive defeats, a streak sealed by a disheartening series of losses in Los Angeles. Despite bumping near the .500 mark at 14-15, another three-game losing spell ensued, including two losses to the Dodgers over the weekend, with Saturday’s 10-3 defeat extending the Dodgers’ winning streak to seven, granting them a record-setting 23-10 standing.
Consequently, the Braves faced a daunting seven-game losing streak against the Dodgers dating back to 2024. Avoiding a full season sweep against them was thus pivotal for Atlanta.
Manager Brian Snitker expressed the game’s significance, stating, “I think it’s big when you win a game like this. It reassures us that we’re a capable team. Although we didn’t take the series, this win is a testament to our potential.”
Riley, with a batting average of .292, leads the team with eight home runs and 24 RBIs. Anticipation builds as the Braves await Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return, possibly this month, as he recovers from last year’s ACL surgery.
An impactful player, Acuña was sidelined after 49 games last season. In 2023, he clinched the National League MVP with an impressive tally of 41 home runs, 73 steals, and a .337 average.
Contemplating the potential of Atlanta’s lineup strengthening with Acuña resuming his leadoff role, Snitker expressed confidence, suggesting that they would rival holding their ground with the Dodgers’ formidable top four of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernández. “We’re right there,” he assured.