Chris Sale pitched a masterful 8 2/3 scoreless innings as the Braves blanked the Mets 5-0 on June 19. See how Sale's dominance and an Acuña Jr. homer sealed the win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
One out. That's all that separated Chris Sale from his first complete-game shutout since 2019. While Raisel Iglesias came in to seal the deal, the 8 2/3 innings of pure dominance from Sale were the story of the night, as he carved up the New York Mets and led the Atlanta Braves to a decisive 5-0 win at Truist Park.
Chris Sale has now allowed just four runs in his last 41 2/3 innings, posting a staggering 0.86 ERA over his last six starts.
In what can only be described as a vintage performance, Chris Sale was simply untouchable. He threw 116 pitches, commanding the zone with seven strikeouts against just one walk. The Mets' offense was completely neutralized; they managed only five hits and never once advanced a runner past second base. When manager Brian Snitker came out to get him with two outs in the ninth, the Truist Park crowd gave Sale a thunderous and well-deserved standing ovation for a performance that has become the new standard for the Braves' ace.
The offense gave Sale all the support he'd need before he even threw his first pitch. Ronald Acuña Jr. wasted no time, launching the game's third pitch 419 feet for his 36th career leadoff home run. The Braves tacked on another run in the first thanks to a catcher's interference and an error. Later, Matt Olson provided insurance with his 15th homer of the year in the seventh. The gutsiest performance, however, belonged to Ozzie Albies. After being hit in the knee by a pitch while swinging in the sixth, Albies shook it off to finish 2-for-3 with a double and a triple, proving his toughness and value yet again.
While the big-league club dominated, the future of the organization continues to look bright. The farm system has officially graduated catcher Drake Baldwin and pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver, though the latter is unfortunately out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Stepping into the spotlight is JR Ritchie, who is emerging as a top pitching prospect. In the lower levels, Owen Carey and Isaiah Drake are making waves, while the organization is buzzing about 16-year-old Raudy Reyes, a newly signed arm who has already been clocked at 102 mph. The pipeline is clearly still loaded.
With Chris Sale pitching like a Cy Young contender and the offense providing timely power, the Braves look like a juggernaut. This win wasn't just another game in June; it was a statement to a division rival. As they look to secure the series win against a floundering Mets team, the Braves are proving that every part of their machine—from the ace on the mound to the prospects in the minors—is running at full throttle.
