Sean Murphy's 8th-inning homer lifts the Braves over the Cardinals 7-6 on July 12, 2025. See how Acuña Jr., Ozuna, and a rookie sealed the wild comeback.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a game that felt like a microcosm of their entire season, the Atlanta Braves snatched victory from the jaws of defeat Saturday, using a barrage of home runs and some ninth-inning hustle to topple the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6. Sean Murphy delivered the decisive blow with a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth, reminding everyone that even on a day when the pitching wobbles, this offense can erase any deficit in a single swing.
Sean Murphy's three-run shot in the eighth inning was the first home run allowed by Cardinals reliever Phil Maton in 37 appearances this season.
The Braves and Cardinals traded blows all afternoon, but the real fireworks started late. After solo shots from Ronald Acuña Jr. and Marcell Ozuna kept Atlanta in the hunt, Sean Murphy stepped to the plate in the eighth inning with two on and his team trailing. He proceeded to launch his 16th homer of the year, a stunning three-run blast that gave the Braves a 6-5 lead. After the Cardinals tied it on a wild pitch, the stage was set for more drama. Nacho Alvarez Jr. led off the ninth with a single, advanced on a walk, and then sprinted home with the winning run on a Jurickson Profar groundout. Raisel Iglesias slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth for his 11th save, sealing a hard-fought victory.
The hero of the ninth inning wasn't a household name, but he's quickly becoming a crucial one. With Austin Riley sidelined, rookie Nacho Alvarez Jr. has been thrust into the hot corner, and he played a pivotal role Saturday. His two-hit performance, capped by scoring the game-winning run, was exactly the kind of contribution the Braves need from their depth players. It's a testament to the organization's 'next man up' mentality, a philosophy being pushed to its absolute limit by a relentless string of injuries.
While the offense celebrated, the game also highlighted the team's most glaring vulnerability: the starting rotation. The absences of Chris Sale (fractured ribs), Reynaldo López (shoulder surgery), and the season-ending loss of AJ Smith-Shawver have left the pitching staff in tatters. This has forced the Braves to rush prospects like Didier Fuentes to the majors, a gamble that has yet to pay off. Fuentes has struggled to a 9.00 ERA in his first three starts, underscoring the desperate need for reliable arms and the immense pressure currently on the offense to win games.
While the big-league club scrambles for pitching, there are glimmers of hope down on the farm. Top prospects like Cam Caminiti and Hurston Waldrep were featured in the All-Star Futures Game festivities, showcasing the high-end talent in the pipeline. Meanwhile, Drue Hackenberg, another promising arm, has just begun a rehab assignment after being sidelined since May. While the farm system is considered thin at the upper levels, the progress of these pitchers is being watched with intense interest, as they represent the best internal hope for future reinforcements.
Saturday's victory was a thrilling display of the Braves' offensive firepower and never-say-die attitude. But as the celebration fades, the stark reality of a depleted pitching staff remains the team's biggest challenge. Can the 'next man up' philosophy continue to produce wins, or will Alex Anthopoulos need to make a move before the trade deadline? This gritty win proves the heart is there; now, the Braves need the arms to match.
