The Atlanta Braves crushed the Kansas City Royals 10-7 on July 29, 2025, as Acuña, Ozuna, and Riley homered to snap a 5-game skid. But can they sustain it?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For one night, at least, the panic subsided. Powered by a barrage of home runs from their biggest stars, the Atlanta Braves snapped a miserable five-game losing streak with a resounding 10-7 win over the Kansas City Royals. It was a desperately needed offensive explosion that reminded fans of the team's potent potential, even as larger questions about the roster's durability hang heavy in the air.
Ronald Acuña Jr., Marcell Ozuna, and Austin Riley combined for three home runs and nine RBIs in the much-needed victory.
The bats came alive from the very first pitch. Ronald Acuña Jr. set the tone, launching a leadoff solo shot to start the game. The power display didn't stop there. Marcell Ozuna, who later posted a celebratory dugout video, broke the game open with a three-run homer in the third, and Austin Riley added a two-run blast in the fifth, helping the Braves build a commanding 9-2 lead. Starter Bryce Elder battled through 5.2 innings, and while the Royals made it interesting late, Raisel Iglesias slammed the door for his 22nd save. It was a complete offensive effort, with Acuña (3-for-5, 2 RBI), Ozuna (2-for-4, 4 RBI), and Riley (2-for-5, 3 RBI) leading the charge.
Amidst the team's recent struggles, Ronald Acuña Jr. has been a beacon of consistency. Since returning from injury in late May, he has played like a man on a mission. His leadoff homer was his 19th of the season, and he continues to be the engine of this offense, raising his average to .297 with 54 RBIs. His post-game social media post, captioned 'Back on track!', captured the relief felt by the entire clubhouse. In a season marred by setbacks, Acuña's health and elite performance are the most valuable assets the Braves have.
While the win provides a temporary balm, it doesn't heal the gaping wound in the starting rotation. With Chris Sale (fractured ribs), Reynaldo López (shoulder surgery), and AJ Smith-Shawver (season-ending elbow surgery) all sidelined, the team's pitching depth has been exposed. This reality makes the front office's inaction ahead of the trade deadline all the more glaring. As of Tuesday, Alex Anthopoulos and the front office have stood pat, reportedly hesitant to part with the few top prospects remaining in a farm system that has failed to produce MLB-ready arms to fill the void.
The struggles to find pitching reinforcements internally seem to have sparked a philosophical shift in the front office. The 2025 draft saw the Braves pivot from their pitching-heavy strategy of years past, instead targeting versatile position players like Tate South and Cody Miller. The stated goal is to build organizational flexibility, prioritizing athletes who can capably handle premium positions like shortstop and center field. While this may pay dividends down the road, it offers little help for the immediate crisis on the mound.
One win, no matter how emphatic, doesn't fix a decimated rotation or change the fact that the Braves are 16 games out of first place. The clock is ticking loudly towards the trade deadline. Will Alex Anthopoulos pull a rabbit out of his hat and find the pitching help this team so desperately needs? Or will the Braves be forced to sink or swim with the roster they have? Tonight's victory was a joyride, but the bumpy road of the 2025 season lies ahead.
