By Samir Ajy
The Atlanta Braves are 0-7. It’s uncharted territory for a group that’s had an abundance of
success over the last seven years and one that nobody saw coming despite having a
demanding schedule to start the season, facing the Padres and the Dodgers out west, the top
two teams in the National League.
On Wednesday night, Bryce Elder took the mound for the Braves, while Blake Snell started for
the Dodgers. The Braves got off to a fast start, taking a 2-0 lead thanks to a throwing error by
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy and a double by shortstop Nick Allen. Doubles by Ozzie
Albies and Matt Olson in the second inning gave Atlanta a 5-0 lead, and it finally seemed as if
the Braves would capture their first win of the season. With the double, Albies surpassed Jeff
Blauser for the 23rd most Total Bases in Braves history.
However, a two-run home run by outfielder Tommy Edman at the bottom of the second inning,
followed by a solo home run by outfielder Michael Conforto during the bottom of the fourth,
allowed the Dodgers to chip away. Elder was pulled after four innings. Atlanta held a 5-3 lead in
favor of Enyel De Los Santos, who pitched the fifth inning and kept the Dodgers off the board
after catching a comebacker and doubling off Andy Pages at third base.
The turning point of the game, nonetheless, came at the top of the sixth inning. The Braves
loaded the bases with nobody out and were in a prime position to add to their lead. A strikeout
by Austin Riley and a popout by Olson followed a flyout from Chadwick Tromp. The Braves also
stranded Nick Allen at third base in the top of the seventh inning. From that point on, despite
Pierce Johnson and Dylan Lee keeping the Dodgers off the board, momentum seemingly shifted
in favor of the Dodgers.
Daysbel Hernández entered the game in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and retired
Teoscar Hernández to open the bottom of the eighth. After giving up a one-out single to
Conforto, Hernández was pulled for closer Raisel Iglesias, who Braves manager Brian Snitker
turned to with hopes of getting a five-out save. After walking Will Smith and retiring Edman,
Iglesias faced Muncy with two outs and runners on second and third. Muncy, who was 0-3 with
two errors, tied the game at five apiece with an RBI double, scoring Conforto and Smith. Kike
Hernandez struck out to end the eighth.
After Riley, Olson, and Jarred Kelenic went down in order for the Braves in the top of the ninth,
Iglesias remained in the game and struck out Pages. However, Shohei Ohtani, the reigning
National League MVP, needed just one pitch to walk off the Braves and seal a 6-5 comeback
victory And a series sweep for Los Angeles.
“From a personal standpoint, it’s honestly embarrassing what I’ve displayed offensively, and I’ve
got a lot of work to do,” Riley said after the game. Riley is hitting 0.111 with one RBI through this
season’s first seven games.
The Braves will have to wait until their home opener on Friday night for a chance to secure their
first win of the year when the Miami Marlins come to Truist Park.
