The 100th Win Came in a Messy Start
Most pitchers need a perfect game to hit a century of wins. Martín Pérez did it by giving up three runs and walking two batters. The Atlanta Braves left-hander earned his 100th career victory on Tuesday night, September 15, 2026, in Chicago. He lasted six innings against the Cubs, allowed five hits, three runs while walking four and striking out two. It was not a clean line for a milestone, but the result matters more than the style.
Per Battery Power, Pérez kept his team in the game despite a shaky first half. The offense stepped up in the ninth inning to seal the deal. Drake Baldwin hit a two-run blast that provided the necessary insurance runs. The final score was 6-3, which leveled the series against Chicago. This win pushes the magic number down to five for the season.
Rotation Shakeup and Injury Updates
The win came with a cost for the rotation depth. Shoulder inflammation led to Right-hander Reynaldo López being put on the 15-day injured list. The team recalled fellow righty JR Ritchie to fill the spot immediately. This move shakes up the late-season roster plans for the Braves.
Other teams are facing similar health issues right now. The Philadelphia Phillies put left-hander Jesús Luzardo on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation. That move is retroactive to September 12. A small fracture in his left hand is affecting Joc Pederson of the Texas Rangers, though he tries to play through it. The Athletics placed left-hander Gage Jump on the 15-day injured list with a left shoulder impingement retroactive to September 13.
Reaching 100 wins is a rare feat for a pitcher in this era. Pérez proved he can win even when his command is off. He struck out four batters and kept the Cubs from pulling away. The magic number hitting five means the Braves are inches away from clinching a playoff spot.
The farm system is still moving forward despite the roster churn. Tate Southisene headlines the list of eight Braves prospects headed to the Arizona Fall League. The Double-A affiliate Columbus Clingstones have finished their 64-68 season for 2026, and a recap follows.
The team needs to stay healthy for the final push. With the Braves’ magic number down to five, every game counts. Pérez showed that experience can overcome a bad outing. The fans in Atlanta should feel good about the race. The next game will decide if that magic number drops to four. Cast your vote for Braves Player of the Game here.
