The Braves continue to prove they can win in different ways, and Sunday’s extra-inning victory over the Orioles may have been one of their most important tests yet. Atlanta escaped Camden Yards with a gritty 3-2 win in 11 innings, taking the series and reinforcing the sense that the club has grown tougher during a stretch that once threatened to derail its season.
The mood around Atlanta looked very different at the end of June. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s trip to the injured list with a left hamstring strain coincided with a difficult 5-12 finish to the month, shrinking the Braves’ lead in the National League East to just 2 1/2 games. Instead of unraveling, however, the club regrouped once July began. The Braves entered Sunday having gone 13-9 during the month and improved to 7-3 since the All-Star break, restoring their division lead to six games while the Phillies prepared to face the Yankees later that night.
Tough Times Build Resilience
Manager Walt Weiss believes those difficult weeks may ultimately benefit the club.
After watching his team survive another tense finish, Weiss said grinding through June while remaining in first place built mental toughness that could pay dividends later in the season. He compared victories like Sunday’s to the type of baseball teams face in October, where every pitch and every defensive play carries enormous weight.
Atlanta nearly let this one slip away. Dominic Smith helped build the early advantage with three hits and two RBIs. Still, the ninth inning turned chaotic when second baseman Ozzie Albies committed an uncommon error that prevented what could have been a game-ending double play against closer Raisel Iglesias. The mistake opened the door for Baltimore to tie the game.
Albies responded immediately. On the next play, he made a diving stop on Jackson Holliday’s ground ball, limiting the Orioles to just one run and keeping Atlanta alive. Iglesias recovered to retire Jeremiah Jackson, forcing extra innings despite recording his second blown save of the season.
Braves Olson and Kinley Deliver in the Clutch
The Braves then survived perhaps the game’s defining sequence in the 10th inning. Danny Young intentionally walked Pete Alonso to load the bases with nobody out, creating enormous pressure. Gunnar Henderson followed by hitting a sharp ground ball to first baseman Matt Olson, who reacted instantly by stepping on first before Alonso could dive back safely. Baltimore challenged the call, but replay upheld the decision, preserving the crucial double play.
Olson admitted afterward that the replay appeared much closer than he initially believed, saying he tried to get his foot to the bag as quickly as possible after the ball carried him toward first.
Tyler Kinley entered and finished the inning, getting Taylor Ward to pop out while Olson confidently called off right fielder Eli White to make the catch himself in shallow right field.
Atlanta finally broke through in the 11th. Austin Riley wasted no time, driving an RBI double into the right-center field gap against Andrew Kittredge to score automatic runner Jorge Mateo and put the Braves back in front. Although Atlanta loaded the bases afterward, Olson flew out to center, leaving the insurance runs stranded.
Kinley still had work to do in the bottom half. After intentionally walking Holliday to load the bases, he remained composed and retired the Orioles without allowing a run, ending the game when Sam Huff grounded out to third base.
Kinley said he never questioned the decision to intentionally walk Holliday despite advancing two runners into scoring position. Acknowledging his recent struggles against left-handed hitters, he explained that the strategy made sense and that he trusted the plan without hesitation.
Acuña’s Return Could Be Near
The Braves may soon receive another boost. Acuña did not play for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday. Still, Weiss expressed optimism that the 2023 National League MVP could return during Atlanta’s upcoming series against the Mets in New York.
If that happens, it will add another weapon to a team that has already shown it can weather adversity. Sunday’s victory was not clean or comfortable, but it demonstrated the resilience Atlanta has developed over the past month. Those traits often become just as valuable as talent once the postseason arrives.
