Tag: Bryce Elder

The Good, The Bad, & The Braves: End of the win streak, Nats 4, Braves 3

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker (above) didn’t hint to the media about his future plans after today’s game.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

The Atlanta Braves’ win streak ended Wednesday afternoon following a 4-3 loss to the Washington Nationals. The Braves chipped away at the Nationals’ lead throughout the game, but came up short.

First pitch was at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

The Braves, now 75-84, were looking to win their 11th straight game. Tough-luck starter, Bryce Elder (8-10 with a 5.36 ERA), was on the mound for his 28th and final start of the season. Elder had been pitching well over his past seven starts, striking out 37 batters while going an impressive 3-1.

He didn’t pitch too badly on Wednesday, but not well enough to get the win.

Elder, as is his penchant this season, gave up an earned run in the first inning of the game. Three of the first four Nationals to take the plate had hits, including an RBI single from left fielder Daylen Lile. Elder would give up another run in the fourth inning following a solo home run by Josh Bell.

Washington’s starter, Andrew Alvarez, was doing the opposite of Elder and cruising through three innings. Following a walk to Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. to start the fourth inning, Alvarez got Drake Baldwin to ground out, Ha-Seong Kim to fly out, and Marcell Ozuna to strike out. Through four innings, Alvarez had only given up a single and struck out five Braves. Wednesday’s game was the Anaheim, California native’s sixth career start.

Braves starter Bryce Elder after the game on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

The Braves played some of their best baseball at the end of this season, leaving the fan base with something to look forward to in 2026. Whether manager Brian Snitker is manning the ship is another question.

The Braves will have three more home games to close the regular season. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

One of the players who will be key to a successful 2026 season is center fielder Michael Harris II. Harris II, one of the best defensive center fielders in the Majors, had two home runs during the win on Tuesday night and began the fifth inning of this game with a single. Harris II stole third base during the inning, giving him 20 steals for the season. Another home run would lock up a 20-20 season.

Down 2-0 in the fifth inning, Atlanta had the bases loaded with one out before Matt Olson popped up to second base and Acuna, Jr. grounded out to short, ending the inning.

Elder gave up another solo home run to start the sixth inning, this time to James Wood. Elder pitched seven innings and struck out seven Nationals.

Woods hit another solo home run, his 29th of the season, off reliever Tyler Kinley in the seventh inning to put his team ahead 4-1. Ozuna got a run back for the Braves with a solo home run in the eighth inning.

In the ninth inning, Eli White came off the bench to hit another solo home run off Washington reliever Jose A. Ferrer to bring Atlanta within a run at 4-3.

Atlanta will end the regular season with a three-game weekend series with the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park.

Related

Donnell Suggs

Source link

September 24, 2025
The Good, The Bad, & The Braves: Bryce (Elder) Yourselves, Braves win 4-1

Ha-Seong Kim (above) had a single during the Braves’s three-run first inning against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Photo by Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves

Stop me if you have heard this before, but Bryce Elder was the key reason the Atlanta Braves won tonight. The Braves defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-1 and Elder was lights out.

The Braves were back at Truist Park a day after losing a three-game series to the Seattle Mariners. Monday night’s starting pitcher, Bryce Elder, came into the game against the Chicago Cubs having come off of one of his best outings of the season against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sept. 3. Elder went seven innings, gave up just four hits and one run, while striking out seven Cubs.

He started Monday night’s game on the right track, striking out three of the first seven Cubs he faced in the first inning and second innings, including Pete Crow Armstrong. Elder has experienced some rough early innings this season, so the strong start to this game was a welcomed sight for a Braves pitching staff and defense that gave up 18 runs to Seattle on Sunday.

Elder was pitching well again. The Texas native picked up two more strikeouts in the third inning and had a 1-2-3 fourth inning.

At the plate, Ozzie Albies got things started for Atlanta with a first inning solo home run to left field off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga. Following a single from Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, potential National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin laced a double off of the center field fence to bring Kim home and give the Braves a 2-0 lead. Ronald Acuna drove Baldwin in to make the score 3-0, and also snapped a 0-25 hitting streak in the process.

The roughest inning for Elder came in the sixth when he gave up a pair of singles and a walk to Michael Busch, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki, the top of the Cubs lineup. Elder then got Pete Crow-Armstrong to ground out to Albies to end the inning.

Elder would come out of the game in the seventh inning with a runner on third base. That runner, Nick Hoerner, hit a double to start the inning. The hit was the only extra-base hit Elder gave up during his time on the mound. Elder, who went 6.1 innings with five strikeouts, was charged with the run the Cubs scored moments later on a sacrifice fly from Matt Shaw off a Pierce Johnson fastball.

The Braves would get the run back when Matt Olson hit his 23rd home run of the season in the eighth inning, putting Atlanta up 4-1.

Related

Donnell Suggs

Source link

September 8, 2025
The Good, The Bad, & The Braves: Michael Harris II stays hot, Braves defeat White Sox, 11-10 in a thriller

Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (above) is hitting over .400 in his last 30 games. Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images

With Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (a pair of singles and doubles during the game) on third base and two outs in the first inning, Michael Harris II (1-4 with two RBI) stepped to the plate and hit a two-strike, two-run home run to give the Braves the lead. A night earlier, Harris was 4-4 with a home run. He was pinch-run for in the eighth inning and missed an opportunity to bat with the bases loaded and the Braves down by four runs. Harris didn’t waste any time getting those lost RBIs back. The home run gave him 16 for the season and 68 RBI, second on the team behind Olson’s 72.

Michael Harris II might be in the midst of the best second half in the history of The Atlanta Braves franchise. Heck, the Boston Braves, Milwaukee Braves are included in that hyperbole as well.

When Harris came up to bat during the series against the Chicago White Sox earlier this week, the rounds of applause were typical of a star player playing on another level. In the third inning on Tuesday, with Ronald Acuna, Jr., on second base following a walk and stolen base, Harris didn’t get a hit. He did, however, advance the runner to third base with a ground ball up the middle that Lenyn Sosa threw to first.

In the past 30 games, including all three games against the White Sox, Harris is batting over .400 with 10 home runs and 24 RBI. Harris is also slugging over .770 and has an on base percentage just over .420.

During his 12-game hitting streak, Harris is batting closer to .500 and has seemed to take full advantage of the amount of baserunners he has seen while batting in the cleanup, fifth and sixth spots in the lineup.

When Harris wasn’t helping the team with his bat on Tuesday, he used his glove. A pair of catches in the night inning helped Atlanta secure the victory. Braves manager Brian Snitker was complimentary of Harris after the game.

“He never takes a play off on defense,” said Snitker. “Michael has been the hottest player on the planet for a while.”

Jurickson Profar has been playing just as well of late. His two-run home run off White Sox starter Shane Smith in the fourth inning gave Atlanta a 4-3 lead. Profar homered in three consecutive games, something he has done twice this season.

Bryce Elder (above) started Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox. Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves

The last time Elder started, the Braves defeated the New York York Mets 4-3. Elder pitched one of his best games of the season, going seven innings with six strikeout, two walks, while only giving up two earned runs.

Last night the White Sox hitters lit up Braves pitching, in particular Spencer Strider. On Tuesday night against Elder, the White Sox found a way to score eight runs through five innings following RBI singles from White Sox first baseman Miguel Vargas and Sosa, and a bases clearing double by Luis Robert, Jr. All three players had multi-hit games on Monday night and continued their strong run of play. Elder (4.2 innings, eight earned runs) was knocked out of the game and replaced by Connor Seabold.

White Sox catcher Kyle Teel hit a two-run home run off Seabold down the right field line to give Chicago a 10-4 lead. Acuna, Jr.made the score10-5 with an RBI single in the seventh, Drake Baldwin walked with the bases loaded to make it 10-6, and Ozzie Albies hit a single to drive in two more runs, cutting the Chicago advantage to 10-8. A fielder choice would allow another run to score, so the braves were down 10-9. The inning would end with Vidal Brujan getting picked off at first base.

Baldwin drive in a pair off runs in the eighth inning to put Atlanta ahead 11-10. Braves reliever Raisel Iglesias came on in the ninth and earned the save.

There’s still time for the Braves to play spoiler and ruin the playoff chances for the Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros.

What’s Next: The Braves will host the White Sox in the third game of this series and have Thursday, August 21, off before hosting the New York Mets in a three-game weekend series. Wednesday’s first pitch is scheduled for a 7:15 p.m.

Related

Donnell Suggs

Source link

August 19, 2025
Michael Harris II homers twice as All-Star-studded Braves win ninth straight, 4-2 over Guardians

CLEVELAND (AP) — At the moment, there’s no team in the same league as these Atlanta Braves.

They’re in a class by themselves — from top to bottom.

“Dangerous team,” said Guardians manager Terry Francona.

David Fry had a game-ending hit and the Cleveland Guardians stopped the Atlanta Braves’ nine-game winning streak with a 6-5 victory in 10 innings Tuesday night.

Shohei Ohtani became a two-way All-Star for the third straight year when he was picked for the American League pitching staff, and eight Atlanta Braves were chosen for the July 11 game in Seattle — the most of any team since 2012.

Ozzie Albies’ two-run homer in the fifth gave Atlanta the lead and the Braves overcame an early two-run deficit to beat the Miami Marlins 6-3 for their 16th win in 17 games.

Ronald Acuña and Ozzie Albies homered as part of a six-run first inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 7-0 as major league batting leader Luis Arraez saw his average dip to .388.

Michael Harris II, Atlanta’s No. 9 hitter, homered twice and Bryce Elder, one of the club’s eight All-Stars, pitched into the seventh inning as the Braves moved 30 games over .500 with their season-high ninth straight win, 4-2 over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night.

Harris connected for solo shots in the third and fifth innings off Guardians rookie Gavin Williams (0-1), who in his third career start had to face a lineup featuring six All-Stars and no detectable weaknesses.

Harris may be last in Atlanta’s order, but he’s batting .416 (37 of 89) with seven homers and 16 RBIs in his last 24 games. The Braves don’t have any holes in their relentless lineup.

“I feel like it’s pretty frustrating for the other pitchers,” said Harris. “They get through who they think is going to do all the damage and they get down to the bottom of the lineup and we can still do a little damage. It’s a pretty special lineup.”

Marcell Ozuna also homered for the Braves, who have won 17 of 18 and 24 of 27.

Atlanta, which has had three winning streaks of at least eight games, improved MLB’s best record to 57-27.

Manager Brian Snitker has no explanation for how his team finds ways to win.

“I don’t know,” he said. “We just do.”

Elder (7-1) didn’t give up a run until the seventh, when Amed Rosario touched him for a two-run single. A.J. Minter came on and got out of a two-on jam by popping up All-Star José Ramírez, and Nick Anderson retired Myles Straw with two on in the eighth.

Raisel Iglesias worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 15th save.

During two rain long delays over the weekend in Chicago, Francona did some advance prep work to be ready for the Braves. Their statistics are striking.

“I got nauseous,” Francona said.

He didn’t feel much better after seeing Atlanta in person.

“You make a mistake sometimes and this is a lineup, probably the ultimate lineup, that if you leave something over the plate,” he said. “They hit two the other way.”

Harris gave the Braves a 1-0 lead in the third with his eighth homer, which triggered an inadvertent launching of fireworks above Progressive Field — a celebration normally reserved for home runs by the Guardians.

But as Harris rounded the bases, a loud boom reverberated through the ballpark and sparklers lit up the sky, prompting loud boos from the sellout crowd.

“I was confused at first why everybody started booing so loudly,” Harris said. “I thought it was towards me, but I remember when I crossed the plate the fireworks went off and then I got in the dugout and they were talking about the fireworks. It kind of throw me off there.”

STAR POWER

Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. became the first player with 20 homers, 40 steals and 50 RBIs before the All-Star break.

He’s only the third to hit 20 homers with 40 steals in the first 84 games, joining Rickey Henderson (1990) and Eric Davis (1986).

“You don’t want to get a drink or go to the bathroom if he’s around because you might miss something you’ve never seen before,” Snitker said. “He’s a special player and it’s fun to have him on our team and be able to watch him every day.”

BRAVE(S) NEW WORLD

Atlanta’s eight All-Star selections are the most in franchise history and matched the all-time record for an NL team. The 2008 Cubs, 1960 Pirates, 1956 Reds and 1943 Cardinals also had eight.

STANDING ROOM ONLY

The crowd of 38,106 was Cleveland’s largest in the regular season since 2014.

FRANCONA UPDATE

Francona said he’s feeling fine following a medical scare during the team’s trip to Kansas City last week.

Francona felt lightheaded before a game and was hospitalized for tests and as a precaution. The 64-year-old has dealt with major medical issues in recent years, forcing him to leave the team in 2020 and 2021.

Francona has been checking in with his doctor.

“He goes, ‘Sleep a little bit,’” Francona cracked.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: Ace Max Fried (forearm strain) will face live hitters for the second time on Tuesday as he continues to work his way back after being shut down in May. It’s a significant step, but the Braves remain tight-lipped about a possible return date for Fried, who will likely need a few rehab starts in the minors before being activated.

Guardians: RHP Triston McKenzie (sprained elbow ligament) will continue his rehab program of rest and therapy for three more weeks before picking up a ball. The 25-year-old received a second opinion last week, and will avoid surgery as long as he makes progress. … 1B Josh Naylor was lifted after an at-bat in the sixth inning with a sore right wrist. Francona said Naylor will undergo imaging tests.

UP NEXT

Shane Bieber (5-5, 3.48 ERA) starts for the Guardians, who may trade him before the deadline. He’ll face Atlanta’s Kolby Allard, who got a no-decision in a start against Minnesota last week.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Source link

July 4, 2023
Michael Harris hits 2 HRs, Braves beat Guardians 4-2 for ninth straight win

CLEVELAND (AP) — Michael Harris homered twice and Bryce Elder, one of Atlanta’s eight All-Stars, pitched 6 2/3 solid innings to lead the Braves to their season-high ninth straight win, 4-2 over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night.

Harris connected for solo shots in the third and fifth innings off Guardians rookie Gavin Williams (0-1). Atlanta’s No. 9 hitter is batting .416 (37 of 89) with seven homers and 16 RBIs in his last 24 games.

Marcell Ozuna also homered for the Braves, who have won 17 of 18 and 24 of 27. Atlanta, which has had three winning streaks of at least eight games, improved MLB’s best record to 57-27.

Yainer Díaz had his first career two-homer game and Jeremy Peña added a two-run shot in his return from injury to lead the Houston Astros past the Colorado Rockies 6-4.

David Fry had a game-ending hit and the Cleveland Guardians stopped the Atlanta Braves’ nine-game winning streak with a 6-5 victory in 10 innings Tuesday night.

Seattle center fielder Julio Rodríguez and right-hander George Kirby, Tampa Bay shortstop Wander Franco and Houston outfielder Kyle Tucker were added to the American League All-Star roster as injury replacements and Pittsburgh closer David Bednar was picked for the National League team.

Logan Gilbert struck out seven pitching a five-hit gem for his first career complete game, Mike Ford homered during a four-hit performance, AJ Pollock added a late two-run shot, and the Seattle Mariners beat the San Francisco Giants 6-0 for their fourth straight win.After striking out Mike Yastrzems

Elder (7-1) didn’t give up a run until Amed Rosario’s two-run single in the seventh. A.J. Minter came on and got out of a two-on jam and Nick Anderson retired Myles Straw with two on in the eighth. Raisel Iglesias worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 15th save.

REDS 3, NATIONALS 2

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joey Votto hit a two-run home run to end an 0-for-21 slump, Ian Gibaut pitched out of a jam in the sixth inning and Cincinnati beat Washington for its fifth win in six games.

Votto homered in the fourth off Jake Irvin, depositing the ball just inside the visiting bullpen in left-center field and driving in Elly De La Cruz. It’s his fourth home run in 12 games this season since returning in June.

Luke Weaver (2-2) picked up the win by allowing two earned runs on six hits in five-plus innings. He was spared a 10th consecutive no-decision — or worse — when Gibaut got through the sixth, allowing just one hit, striking out Corey Dickerson and inducing a flyout from Derek Hill.

Catcher Tyler Stephenson drove in the Reds’ other run with an RBI single in the second. Fresh off being named an All-Star for the first time, closer Alexis Díaz picked up his 24th save.

Jeimer Candelario hit his 12th home run of the season, a solo shot in the fourth inning for Washington. Irvin (1-4) struck out three and allowed six hits.

MARLINS 5, CARDINALS 4

MIAMI (AP) — Nick Fortes hit a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning and Miami rallied to beat St. Louis.

Marlins pinch hitter Yuli Gurriel tied it in the seventh with a two-run double against reliever Andre Pallante (2-1) after two straight walks. The Marlins then inserted the speedy Jon Berti to pinch run for Gurriel, and Berti scored on Fortes’ ground-ball single.

Marlins reliever Tanner Scott worked a scoreless eighth to preserve the lead, and A.J. Puk got the final three outs for his 14 save of the season.

Paul DeJong had broken a 2-2 tie in the sixth with an RBI double for the Cardinals. Willson Contreras was 3 for 4, finishing a triple shy of the cycle.

Huascar Brazoban (3-1) got the last two outs of the seventh for the win.

YANKEES 6, ORIOLES 3

NEW YORK (AP) — Harrison Bader hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth inning and New York rallied to beat Baltimore.

Anthony Volpe scored the tying run in the seventh on a wild pitch by All-Star reliever Yennier Cano (1-1) before the Yankees completed the comeback ahead of a postgame fireworks show.

Giancarlo Stanton opened the eighth with a hard single off Cano before Anthony Rizzo followed with a single against Danny Coulombe. After showing bunt on the first pitch, Bader drove a 1-1 sweeper into the left-field seats for his seventh homer.

Tommy Kahnle (1-0) stranded former Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks in the eighth to keep it tied. Clay Holmes struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth for his 10th save.

The second-place Orioles lost for the fifth time in six games and are three games ahead of third-place New York in the division standings.

BREWERS 8, CUBS 6

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Newly signed Jahmai Jones hit a pinch-hit, three-run double in his first big league appearance since 2021, helping Milwaukee rally past Chicago.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh inning, Jones hit a line drive on the first pitch from reliever Anthony Kay that one-hopped off the center field wall and scored Raimel Tapia, Christian Yelich and Owen Miller, tying the game at 6.

The Brewers completed their comeback from a six-run deficit in the eighth inning with an RBI single by Willy Adames and a sacrifice fly by Miller — both off Mark Leiter Jr. (1-2) — to take an 8-6 lead.

Brewers All-Star reliever Devin Williams allowed a double by Nico Hoerner and a walk to Ian Happ in the ninth, and then struck out All-Star Dansby Swanson to earn his 18th save.

Joel Payamps (3-1) pitched a perfect eighth inning for Milwaukee.

The Brewers won their third straight game and remained tied for first place in the NL Central with Cincinnati. The Cubs have lost three straight and seven of their last eight.

ASTROS 12, RANGERS 11

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — José Abreu and Chas McCormick had back-to-back RBI doubles in the ninth inning and second-place Houston Astros recovered after giving up an eight-run lead.

Abreu and McCormick also homered earlier for Houston, which took three of four against its instate rival to move within three games of the division lead. It is the closest the Astros have been in a month after trailing by as many as 6 1/2 games.

Kyle Tucker, who hit Houston’s majors-best eighth grand slam in the second for a 6-0 lead, led off the ninth with a single against Rangers closer Will Smith (1-3), who had only his second blown save in 16 chances. Abreu and McCormick then followed Alex Bregman’s deep flyout with their doubles.

The Rangers had their only lead on Corey Seager’s sacrifice fly that made it 11-10 in the eighth.

Bryan Abreu (3-2), the fifth Houston pitcher, allowed that run in the eighth before Ryan Pressly worked the ninth for his 18th save in 21 tries.

TWINS 8, ROYALS 4

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Edouard Julien hit a pinch-hit, solo homer to start a five-run eighth inning and Minnesota went on to beat Kansas City for the seventh time in eight games this season.

Carlos Correa had four hits from the leadoff spot and Byron Buxton drove in two runs with sacrifice flies for the Twins.

The Royals had tied the score in the top of the inning on a solo homer by Nick Pratto off Brent Headrick (2-0), the first batter he faced.

Kansas City reliever Taylor Clarke (1-3) surrendered five runs and five hits and retired just one of the seven batters he faced.

The Royals have lost 11 of their last 12 games in Minnesota.

MARINERS 6, GIANTS 5

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Julio Rodríguez hit a two-run double in a four-run ninth inning against All-Star closer Camilo Doval, and Seattle held on to beat San Francisco.

J.P. Crawford broke a 2-all tie with a sacrifice fly against Doval. Rodríguez’s double made it 5-2, and Teoscar Hernández added an RBI single with two outs as the Mariners handed Doval his worst outing in the majors.

Andrés Muñoz (2-1) pitched eighth to get the win. Doval (2-3) had his third blown save in 27 chances this season.

Rookie catcher Blake Sabol homered twice and drove in all five runs for the Giants. He launched a three-run shot with two outs in the ninth to bring San Francisco within one. Pinch-hitter Wilmer Flores singled before Paul Sewald struck out Brandon Crawford to end it.

PADRES 10, ANGELS 3

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Blake Snell helped keep All-Star sluggers Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout in the ballpark, and Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run homer that sent disappointing San Diego to a big win.

Trout left with an apparent left hand or wrist injury after fouling off a pitch while leading off the eighth inning. He immediately shook his arm. Angels manager Phil Nevin and a trainer came out to check on the superstar and he left the field.

Ohtani wasn’t able to add to his major league league-leading 31 home runs. He walked twice. Trout, who has 18 homers, walked, had two singles and drove in a run.

In perhaps the biggest at-bat of the night, rookie reliever Tom Cosgrove struck out Ohtani on three straight pitches with two runners on in the sixth, one batter after Trout hit an RBI single to pull the Angels to 4-2.

Snell (5-7) held the Angels to seven hits while striking out seven and walking four in five innings.

Jaime Barria (2-4) allowed four runs and five hits in five innings, struck out five and walked none.

DODGERS 5, PIRATES 2

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Max Muncy hit his 18th homer of the season, and Los Angeles got Dave Roberts his 700th win as the Dodgers’ manager.

Jason Heyward and Miguel Rojas had RBI doubles to help the Dodgers bounce back after dropping the last two games in a weekend series at Kansas City.

Caleb Ferguson (5-3), the second of six Los Angeles pitchers, got the win. Evan Phillips worked the ninth for his 12th save

Mitch Keller (9-4) gave up five runs (four earned) in five innings and struck out seven. The Pirates have dropped three straight as they left nine on base and were 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Source link

July 4, 2023