Braves Walk It Off in Extras, Edge Reds 5-4 in Thriller
Drake Baldwin played the hero Thursday night, lining an RBI single in the 11th to bring home automatic runner Ozzie Albies and secure a 5-4 win for the Braves—Atlanta’s fourth victory in their last five games.
Scott Blewett (1-0) earned the win with two scoreless innings in relief, while Taylor Rogers (1-1) took the loss for the Reds.
The Braves forced extra innings with a clutch two-run rally in the ninth. Eli White laid down a perfectly executed bunt to score Albies, and Michael Harris II followed with a game-tying RBI single to left, scoring pinch-runner Eddie Rosario. Harris finished the night 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
The Reds had grabbed a 4-2 lead in the top of the ninth thanks to rookie Rece Hinds, who blasted a go-ahead two-run homer off Raisel Iglesias. Hinds continued his strong start to the season, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk.
Jose Trevino led the Reds offensively, going 3-for-4 with three doubles and an RBI.
Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach delivered a strong outing, tossing six innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out five. It was his sixth quality start in eight games and a solid bounce-back after struggling against the Dodgers.
A dramatic moment came in the 11th when Baldwin threw out Blake Dunn attempting to steal second, ending the inning and setting up his walk-off heroics.
Reds manager Terry Francona was ejected in the same frame for arguing the call.
Stat to Know: Braves reliever Pierce Johnson has now set down 25 consecutive batters across his last eight appearances, covering 8 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts.
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