Sean Murphy's two homers lead Braves to a 6-5 win over the Cardinals on July 12, 2025, but an injury to Austin Riley casts a shadow over the historic victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Atlanta Braves celebrated a historic milestone on Friday night, earning their 1,000th franchise win against the St. Louis Cardinals in a thrilling 6-5 nail-biter. The victory was powered by Sean Murphy's incredible display of raw power, but the celebration was muted by a potentially significant loss as star third baseman Austin Riley exited the game early with an injury, leaving Braves Country holding its collective breath.
Sean Murphy didn't just hit two home runs; he launched the two longest blasts seen at Busch Stadium all season, measuring 437 and 440 feet.
Sean Murphy put the team on his back, single-handedly matching the Cardinals' early offense with two colossal home runs. He and Ronald Acuña Jr., who also notched three hits, were the offensive catalysts. The night started shaky with starter Grant Holmes surrendering five runs in just three innings, forcing the bullpen into early action. But Enyel De Los Santos was spectacular, earning the win with two perfect frames, and Raisel Iglesias shut the door for his 10th save, proving once again that the relief corps is the team's bedrock.
The win came at a potential cost. In the third inning, Austin Riley was abruptly pulled from the game with what the team described as 'abdominal tightness.' Any extended absence for the Silver Slugger would be a devastating blow to a lineup that has struggled for consistency. With the offense already ranking in the bottom 10 of the league in several key categories, losing Riley's middle-of-the-order presence is a nightmare scenario the team simply can't afford. All eyes are on the Braves for an update on his status.
Holmes's short outing was another stark reminder of the team's most glaring weakness: starting pitching. With Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, and AJ Smith-Shawver all on the injured list, the rotation is a patchwork of short-term fixes and bullpen games. The lack of reinforcements from a thin farm system has exposed the organization's depth issues, forcing Alex Anthopoulos's hand. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the question isn't if the Braves will trade for a starting pitcher, but how many they can acquire.
As the drama unfolds on the field, the future of the organization is being shaped just down the road as Atlanta hosts the 2025 MLB Draft. In a notable shift from recent years, insiders expect the Braves to target offensive prospects early. This change in philosophy is a direct response to the team's uncharacteristic struggles at the plate and a farm system that is under scrutiny for not providing enough immediate help. For a team built on homegrown stars, this draft feels more critical than ever.
One game perfectly encapsulated the 2025 Braves season: moments of individual brilliance, a resilient bullpen, and a constant cloud of injury and uncertainty. While a win is a win, the focus immediately shifts to the health of Austin Riley. His status, coupled with Alex Anthopoulos's moves at the draft and the impending trade deadline, will define the second half of the season and determine if this team can overcome its significant hurdles.
