Juan Soto's two homers powered the Mets to a 7-3 win over the Braves on June 26, 2025. Despite the loss, rookie Drake Baldwin shines for Atlanta. Recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a tough night in Queens for the Atlanta Braves, as a five-run fourth inning fueled by two Juan Soto home runs led the New York Mets to a 7-3 victory. While the loss to a division rival stings, the game wasn't without its bright spots, particularly from a rookie who is quickly becoming a household name in Atlanta.
Drake Baldwin has emerged as one of the better rookies in baseball, providing much-needed offense for Atlanta behind the plate.
The Braves just couldn't contain Juan Soto on Thursday. The Mets slugger was the difference-maker, launching two homers to power New York's offense. His solo shot in the fourth inning opened the floodgates for a five-run frame that put the game out of reach. It was a frustrating night for the Braves' offense, which was robbed of a potential two-run homer in the first inning by a spectacular catch from Jeff McNeil. Though the bullpen was solid, allowing just one run after the fourth, the damage was already done.
The rookie experience was on full display for Atlanta, with two very different outcomes. On the mound, Didier Fuentes made his second career start and found the going tough against a potent Mets lineup. He lasted four innings and was tagged for six earned runs, including both of Soto's blasts, falling to 0-2 on the season. It's a learning curve for the young arm. On the other side, catcher Drake Baldwin continued his stellar rookie campaign. He provided one of the few offensive sparks with a solo homer in the fourth, further cementing his place as one of the best first-year players in the league and a crucial source of power.
The Braves didn't go down without a fight. Ronald Acuña Jr. delivered a two-run single in the top of the ninth, a reminder of the ever-present threat he is at the top of the order. While the rally fell short, it was a good sign from the superstar. The future also looks bright down on the farm. Pitching prospect JR Ritchie is turning heads, while Owen Carey's contact skills and Isaiah Drake's elite athleticism are making waves in Low-A. These prospects offer hope for the future, especially with recent graduate AJ Smith-Shawver unfortunately out for the season after Tommy John surgery.
Losing to the Mets is never easy, but Thursday's game was a classic mix of growing pains and silver linings. While Fuentes learned a hard lesson, Baldwin proved his mettle once again. The team will need to shake this one off quickly and come back tomorrow with a better plan against the Mets' pitching. It's a long season, and bouncing back from a tough division loss is the next test for this Braves squad.
