The Atlanta Braves continue to experience an inconsistent season, suffering a 5-11 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite a late-game surge where they scored all five of their runs in the 8th inning, highlighted by a massive home run from reigning MVP Ronald Acuna Jr., the Braves are struggling to recapture the red-hot form they’ve been known for over the past few years. Both fans and players seem to be waiting for a pivotal moment to turn the season around, but that moment has yet to arrive.
Ray Kerr started on the mound and quickly found himself in trouble, allowing five earned runs over four innings. The Pirates capitalized early, with Nick Gonzales driving in two runs with a deep single, setting the tone for the game. The Pirates continued to dominate, scoring 11 runs over seven innings. Kerr’s rough outing resulted in him being sent back down to triple-A baseball. While the pitching staff has generally been solid this season, the Braves' bats have struggled to provide consistent run support. Marcell Ozuna has been a rare bright spot, consistently hitting well and contending with LA Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani for the most home runs.
Injuries have significantly contributed to the Braves’ lackluster performance, with several key players either out or just returning to the field. The team will aim to get back on track this afternoon against the Pirates, with the game set for 4:05 p.m. on Bally Sports.