The Giants trounced the Braves 9-3 on July 23, 2025, as Justin Verlander earned his first win and Rafael Devers homered twice. Recap the loss for Atlanta.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night for the history books at Truist Park, but unfortunately for the Atlanta Braves, they were on the wrong side of it. A 42-year-old Justin Verlander, winless in his first 15 starts of the season, turned back the clock and baffled Braves hitters for five scoreless innings, finally earning that elusive first victory as his San Francisco Giants rolled to a 9-3 win, taking the series in dominant fashion.
The Braves were outscored 18-3 in the final two games of the series, a stark reminder of their recent struggles at the plate and on the mound.
While Verlander's resurgence was the headline, Rafael Devers provided the fireworks. The Giants' slugger crushed two home runs, including a back-breaking three-run shot off the newly recalled Dylan Dodd, totaling four RBIs on the night. Spencer Strider wasn't sharp, taking the loss after allowing three runs in five innings, but the real story was the offense's inability to capitalize. A two-run ground-rule double from Drake Baldwin in the seventh and a late RBI from Sean Murphy were the only signs of life in a seven-hit performance that felt lifeless for long stretches.
The decision to recall Dylan Dodd just days after his demotion backfired immediately, as he served up the decisive homer to Devers. This move was part of a pre-game shuffle that saw RHP Hunter Stratton also called up, while Davis Daniel and Wander Suero were sent back to Triple-A. It's a clear signal of a front office scrambling for answers in a bullpen decimated by injuries and underperformance. With Joe Jiménez still targeting an August return and Reynaldo López's timeline a mystery, the 'Gwinnett Shuttle' is getting a lot of mileage, but it's not providing the consistent results the team desperately needs.
The pitching staff wasn't the only area seeing changes. The Braves added veteran catcher Sandy León to the major league roster, a move aimed at shoring up defense and pitch framing behind the plate. To make room, outfielder Stuart Fairchild was designated for assignment and quickly traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash. While Fairchild's .216 average wasn't cutting it, these minor moves feel like rearranging deck chairs as fan frustration mounts and the trade deadline looms. The front office is clearly active, but a much bigger splash feels necessary.
The loss to the Giants wasn't just a single bad game; it was a symptom of a larger problem. The starting rotation is thin, the bullpen is a revolving door, and the offense is prone to disappearing acts. With the calendar flipping closer to August, all eyes are on the front office. The fan base is restless, the needs are obvious, and the time for tinkering is over. The next week will define whether the 2025 Braves are serious contenders or a team left wondering what could have been.
