Rookie Drake Baldwin's 3-RBI double sparks a 9-5 Braves win over the Giants on July 23. Matt Olson adds a homer to snap the losing streak. Read the recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For one night, the vibes were back. The Atlanta Braves snapped a frustrating losing streak with a decisive 9-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants, and it was a rookie who played the hero. Catcher Drake Baldwin, quickly becoming a fan favorite, blew the game open in the first inning with a bases-clearing double that reminded everyone just how potent this offense can be, even when the deck is stacked against them.
Three RBIs on one swing. Rookie catcher Drake Baldwin's first-inning, bases-clearing double was the spark the Braves desperately needed.
The Braves didn't waste any time putting runs on the board Wednesday. After Giants pitching issued four early walks, Drake Baldwin stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and delivered the biggest hit of the night, a three-run double that set an immediate, aggressive tone. The offense kept the pressure on, with Ozzie Albies adding a crucial RBI single in the fourth and Matt Olson crushing his 18th home run of the season. It was a complete effort that saw the lineup capitalize on mistakes and deliver timely hits—a formula that's been elusive during their recent struggles.
While the win was a team effort, it's impossible to ignore the bookends of experience and youth sparking this lineup. Since his return from injury in late May, Ronald Acuña Jr. has been playing at an MVP-caliber level, providing a consistent, dynamic threat at the top of the order. At the other end, Baldwin's emergence has been a revelation. His clutch hitting and solid defense have provided a critical boost, proving he's more than just a placeholder. This combination of superstar production and rookie grit is keeping the offense dangerous, even as the team sits at 44-56.
A nine-run outburst is a great way to win a ballgame, but it's also a necessity when your starting rotation is in shambles. The Braves are still navigating a pitching nightmare, with Chris Sale (fractured ribs), Reynaldo López (shoulder surgery), and AJ Smith-Shawver (season-ending elbow surgery) all sidelined. This has forced the team into a series of bullpen games and spot starts, putting immense pressure on the offense to outscore opponents and taxing the relief corps. Wednesday's win was a relief, but it doesn't solve the underlying issue that threatens to derail the entire season.
With the rotation decimated, all eyes turn to the front office as the trade deadline approaches. The problem? The farm system, while heavy on pitching prospects like Hurston Waldrep and Drue Hackenberg, reportedly lacks the MLB-ready arms needed for an immediate impact. Recent minor league reports also point to a lack of standout offensive talent, thinning the pool of prospects the Braves can use as trade chips. Management is reportedly exploring all options, but they face the difficult task of finding affordable, controllable pitching without mortgaging what remains of the future.
Wednesday's win was a blast. It was a reminder of the team's offensive firepower and a showcase for a promising rookie in Drake Baldwin. But it was just one game. The path forward for the 2025 Braves will be defined not by one night in July, but by the moves made—or not made—in the coming days. Can they find the pitching reinforcements needed to make a real run, or is this season destined to be a story of 'what could have been'?
