Baldwin Blasts, Schwellenbach Shines as Braves Climb to .500
- Gavin James
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
After a thrilling 4–3 walk-off win in game one of their four-game series against the Washington Nationals, the Atlanta Braves returned to Truist Park on Tuesday night with a chance to claw back to .500 for the first time this season. With a 20–21 record and a stretch of seven straight games decided by a single run, the Braves have been teetering between frustration and breakthrough. Game two provided the opportunity for a much-needed turning point.
On the mound for Atlanta was Spencer Schwellenbach, making his fifth start of the season. Opposite him was a familiar face—Michael Soroka, now wearing a Nationals uniform after some years with Atlanta. The Braves made sure Soroka's return wasn’t a triumphant one, riding a stellar outing from Schwellenbach and a red-hot bat from rookie catcher Drake Baldwin to a 5–2 victory.
Let’s walk through how this one played out.
Abrams Starts Fast, Schwellenbach Settles In
The game got off to a rocky start for Schwellenbach, as Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams launched the first pitch of the game over the wall in right to give Washington an early 1–0 lead. But the 24-year-old righty shook it off immediately, retiring the next three hitters with ease.
Atlanta’s offense was quiet early. Austin Riley reached on an infield single in the bottom of the first but was left stranded. Schwellenbach returned with a 1-2-3 second inning, collecting two strikeouts, and followed it with another clean frame in the third.
The Nationals scratched across a second run in the fourth. After Schwellenbach walked James Wood, an RBI single from Amed Rosario pushed the Washington lead to 2–0. But the Braves would not trail for long.
Baldwin Bomb Sparks Braves Rally
In the bottom of the fourth, Marcell Ozuna singled to center, and Drake Baldwin stepped to the plate. On a 3-2 pitch, the Braves catcher crushed a two-run shot to the Chop House in right—his fourth homer of the year—to tie the game at 2–2. The swing not only changed the scoreboard, it shifted the momentum entirely.
Baldwin wasn’t done making noise either.
Braves Take the Lead
After Schwellenbach worked a scoreless fifth, the Braves pounced on reliever Brad Lord. Eli White drew a leadoff walk, and Alex Verdugo followed with a single. Austin Riley then delivered a go-ahead RBI single to right, scoring White to make it 3–2.
Schwellenbach continued to deal. Despite giving up a hit in both the fourth and fifth, he faced the minimum in the sixth and set down the side in order in the seventh, ending his night with seven strong innings: 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts.
Baldwin and Albies Add Insurance
The Braves tacked on insurance in the sixth. After Baldwin singled and Ozzie Albies snapped a 0-for-28 slump with a single of his own, Eli White came through with an RBI single to push the lead to 4–2.
In the eighth, Baldwin doubled—his third hit of the night—and Albies followed with an RBI single, capping a 5–2 lead that held the rest of the way.
Dylan Lee and Pierce Johnson each threw scoreless innings to close things out, with Johnson earning his first save of the season. With the win, the Braves are now 21–21—finally back at .500.
Player of the Game: Drake Baldwin
Baldwin was the undeniable star of the night, going 3-for-4 with a home run, double, three runs scored, and two RBIs.
“Getting back to .500, like we’re right back in it,” Baldwin said postgame. “Baseball is a weird sport. You just have to keep on pushing. There’s too much talent here to not let that happen.”
Manager Brian Snitker was equally impressed with Baldwin’s night.
“He just keeps piling up good at-bats,” Snitker said. “He’s helping us win games—simple as that. I’m gonna play him again Thursday.”
Schwellenbach Steps Up
The Braves were in desperate need of length from their starting rotation, and Schwellenbach delivered. His seven-inning outing was the deepest any Atlanta starter has gone in over a week.
“That was big tonight to go seven innings,” said Brian Snitker.
For a pitcher that is still young, Schwellenbach showed poise, especially after the leadoff homer. He trusted his defense, didn’t try to overpower hitters, and got outs efficiently.
Analysis: Braves Show Signs of Turning the Corner
The Braves still aren’t firing on all cylinders, but for the first time in 2025, they’re showing signs of becoming the team many expected. Winning two close games against a division rival is no small feat—and it came with timely hitting, solid defense, and perhaps most importantly, starting pitching stability.
Baldwin’s emergence as a legitimate contributor behind the plate gives Atlanta a new spark. Albies snapping his slump and Riley delivering clutch hits is a welcome sign for a team that’s lacked consistency.
At 21–21, the Braves have put the early-season frustrations behind them. The goal now? Build on this momentum.
“It’s not a big deal, but it kind of is,” Snitker said about hitting .500. “It’s a testament to the guys. They never quit and do their jobs. We’re still a ways away from hitting on all cylinders.”
Still, this team is far from its ceiling. With Bryce Elder taking the mound tomorrow and another chance to push above .500, all eyes will be on whether this is truly the turning point in Atlanta’s season.
Up Next: Game Three at Truist Park
The Braves and Nationals continue their four-game set tomorrow night with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET. Fans in attendance will receive a Marcell Ozuna bobblehead—with both head and arms bobbling—for the first 15,000 through the gates.
Where to Watch/Listen:
TV: FanDuel Sports Network South / Southeast
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan
Probable Pitchers:
ATL: Bryce Elder RHP (2–2)
WSH: Mitchell Parker LHP (3–3)
Stay tuned—this series might just be the spark Atlanta’s been waiting for all season.
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