Braves fall to Mets 7-3 on June 26, 2025, despite Drake Baldwin's 7th homer. Didier Fuentes struggles as Atlanta drops a key game in the series. Read recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another one of those nights at Citi Field where you saw both the frustrating present and the promising future of the Atlanta Braves on full display. Despite a late rally and another powerful swing from a burgeoning star, the Braves couldn't overcome an early deficit, falling 7-3 to the New York Mets and dropping to 37-43 on the season. The loss ties the crucial four-game series at two games apiece, setting up a pivotal finale.
Through 14 games, 16-year-old prospect Diego Tornes is hitting .345 with a .947 OPS and 13 steals in the Dominican Summer League.
The game felt like it was slipping away from the jump. Rookie Didier Fuentes struggled on the mound, surrendering six runs in just 3.1 innings, including two long balls to Mets slugger Juan Soto. The Braves' offense was snakebitten early, with Marcell Ozuna being robbed of what would have been a two-run homer by a spectacular catch from Jeff McNeil in the first inning. That play proved to be a massive momentum swing, and Atlanta spent the rest of the night trying to claw its way back.
The biggest bright spot of the night, and frankly, one of the biggest of the season, was rookie catcher Drake Baldwin. He provided the Braves' first run with a towering solo shot in the fourth inning, his seventh of the year. Since graduating from prospect status earlier this month, Baldwin has been a revelation, providing a consistent bat and steady presence behind the plate. While the team struggles for wins, Baldwin's development is a massive victory for the organization.
A glimmer of hope appeared in the ninth when Ronald Acuña Jr. laced a two-run single, but it was too little, too late. On a positive note, the bullpen, which has been a source of anxiety, delivered four scoreless innings of relief. This performance is exactly what manager Brian Snitker is looking for after the team's recent struggles prompted the return of franchise saves leader Craig Kimbrel. Snitker has committed to a 'mix and match' approach in the late innings, and nights like this build much-needed confidence.
While the big-league club fights for consistency, the future is looking incredibly bright. The Braves' top international signee from January, 16-year-old Diego Tornes, is tearing up the Dominican Summer League. The outfielder, signed for a cool $2.5 million, is hitting .345 with a .947 OPS and 13 stolen bases in his first 14 professional games. He's not alone, as pitching prospects like JR Ritchie and 16-year-old flamethrower Raudy Reyes (who has hit 102 mph) are turning heads, reminding fans that the talent pipeline is still flowing strong.
The loss stings, especially against a division rival. Now, the Braves face a must-win series finale to avoid dropping another series and falling further behind. They'll need more than just a Baldwin home run; the entire lineup needs to wake up and support a pitching staff that is desperately searching for solid ground. While the future showcased by Tornes and other prospects is exciting, the present needs to find a way to win, starting tomorrow.
