The Atlanta Braves looked headed for another frustrating loss Friday night, trailing the Minnesota Twins by four runs and managing just one score through seven innings. But then, the offense finally woke up.
Rather than relying on the long ball, the Braves strung together solid, timely hits — something that had been missing all season, especially with runners in scoring position. Before the game, the team was hitting just .184 in those situations.
That changed in the eighth inning, when the Braves delivered three clutch hits in four at-bats, including a walk by Sean Murphy to keep the momentum going. Michael Harris II tied the game with a two-run single, and rookie Drake Baldwin put Atlanta ahead with a pinch-hit two-RBI single — a big moment for the young player, who had just two RBIs on the season prior.
The bullpen held the lead in the ninth, sealing a 6-4 victory for Atlanta.
Harris had been just 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position before his game-tying hit, and Baldwin’s heroics may now spark discussions about keeping him on the big-league roster to boost the bench.
While the Braves still sit at 6-13, and remain last in the NL East, this comeback win could mark a shift. It wasn’t just a blowout win against a struggling team — it was a gritty, clutch performance in a close game, something the Braves have lacked in 2025.
Whether it’s truly a turning point remains to be seen, but it gave the Braves something they’ve desperately needed: belief. Now, it’s up to them to build on it.
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