Braves outlast Reds 12-11 on Aug 1, 2025, in a wild game! Matt Olson homers twice in a record-breaking 16-run 8th inning. See how the chaos unfolded.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you think you've seen it all in baseball, the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds decided to rewrite the record books on a Friday night. In a game that defied logic, the Braves clawed their way to a 12-11 victory in 10 innings, a contest defined by a truly unbelievable eighth inning that saw a combined 16 runs cross the plate.
That was one of the craziest innings I've ever been a part of. This team never quits.
Let's be honest, for seven innings, this was a tense but somewhat normal baseball game. Then the eighth inning happened. The Braves, trailing at the time, exploded for eight runs, their biggest single-inning outburst of the season. It felt like the game was sealed. But in a stunning turn, the Reds answered with eight runs of their own in the bottom half. The two teams combined for 16 runs, setting a new franchise record for the most combined runs in a single frame. After all that chaos, the game fittingly went to extras, where Marcell Ozuna played hero with a sacrifice fly in the 10th to finally, mercifully, secure the win.
This offensive explosion wasn't an accident; it was powered by the big bats in the middle of the order. Matt Olson was a one-man wrecking crew, smashing two home runs and driving in five runs. His three-run blast in the eighth was the key blow that ignited the rally. Olson now has 20 homers and 73 RBI on the year. Not to be outdone, Austin Riley stayed red-hot, collecting three hits including a homer and three RBI. Riley extended his hitting streak to a blistering 11 games and seems to have found his All-Star form again.
Lost in the offensive fireworks was an encouraging, if not perfect, start from Spencer Strider. Pitching 5.2 innings, he allowed four runs but crucially struck out eight batters. After a difficult July, seeing Strider's velocity and command look sharper is a massive positive. The box score might not look pristine, but this was a step in the right direction for the Braves' ace, who lowered his ERA to 4.12. The bats just needed him to keep them in the game, and he did just that.
After a quiet trade deadline, the Braves showed that the fight remains in the current clubhouse. With no roster moves made on Friday, the team that took the field is the team that will be carrying the load for the rest of the season. A wild, character-building win like this can be a galvanizing force. As the team's social media proclaimed, 'Never count us out!'
While the 47-62 record isn't where anyone wants it to be, nights like this are a reminder of what this team is capable of. This wasn't just a win; it was an emotional roller coaster that tested the team's resolve. Now, the Braves have a chance to build on this chaotic momentum and win a series against the Reds. Can the offense stay hot and support the pitching staff? Saturday's game will give us our first clue.
