Braves Take Game One in Toronto Behind the Long Ball and Holmes' Dominance

Apr 14, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) hits a three run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Early Offense Carries Braves Past Blue Jays in Series Opener

The Atlanta Braves came into Toronto fresh off a tough weekend in Tampa, where they dropped two of three to the Rays. With the team still trying to find its rhythm at the plate, especially early in games, the question heading into Monday night was whether the offense would finally give some run support to starter Grant Holmes. The answer? A resounding yes.

Braves Strike First Without Ozuna

Atlanta took the field without designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who returned to Atlanta for an MRI due to hip inflammation. Even without one of their hottest bats, the Braves wasted no time getting things going against Blue Jays starter Easton Lucas.

After Lucas recorded two quick outs in the first, Matt Olson drew a walk to extend the inning. That set up Sean Murphy, who launched a two-run homer to left field, his fourth of the season, to give the Braves an early 2-0 lead.

Holmes Locks In Early

Grant Holmes came out sharp, retiring the Blue Jays in order in the bottom half of the first. He looked in command from the very first pitch, and with help from solid defense behind him, Holmes and the Braves would retire the first 12 batters of the game.

Riley Adds On in the Third

The Braves went scoreless in the second, but the third inning brought more fireworks. Eli White led off with a double to center, and after Ozzie Albies made the first out, Austin Riley crushed a two-run home run to left center. His third homer of the year pushed Atlanta’s lead to 4-0, finally delivering the early offense Braves fans have been waiting for.

Braves Keep Applying Pressure

In the fifth, Nick Allen led off with a single and later stole second. After Eli White walked, Ozzie Albies brought Allen home with an RBI double. Then Riley stepped up again, and yes, he did it again. A second homer! This time a three-run bomb from Riley gave him five RBIs on the night and stretched Atlanta’s lead to 8-0.

Holmes Carries a No-Hitter Into the Sixth

Holmes was masterful through five, keeping Toronto completely off the bases until he issued a walk in the fifth. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Myles Straw finally broke it up with a solo home run to lead off the frame. Holmes quickly settled back in, ending the inning with two more strikeouts.

Toronto Chips Away Late

Lucas exited after five rough innings, allowing eight runs on six hits, including three home runs. Jacob Barnes came on in relief and retired the Braves in order in the sixth. Holmes continued into the eighth, but after allowing a walk and a single, he exited after 7.2 innings with two runners aboard. Aaron Bummer came in, but Tyler Heineman doubled in both inherited runners, cutting the Braves lead to 8-3.

Toronto added one more in the ninth on an Ernie Clement RBI single, but Alan Roden struck out to end it. Braves win, 8-4.

Final Line and Looking Ahead

Holmes finished with 7.2 innings pitched, two hits, two walks, four strikeouts, and three earned runs. It was easily his most dominant outing of the season and a huge confidence boost for the Braves pitching staff.

The offense finally looked like what many expected coming into the year. Riley’s monster night, Murphy’s timely homer, and steady contributions throughout the lineup made the difference.

Atlanta improves to 5-11 while Toronto falls to 9-8. Game two of the series is set for Tuesday night at 7:07 PM EDT. Spencer Schwellenbach (1-0, 0.45 ERA) will take the mound for the Braves. Toronto will counter with Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.33 ERA).

Takeaways

1. Grant Holmes stole the show. He had five no-hit innings and gave the Braves exactly what they needed, stability from the mound.

2. Austin Riley delivered a statement game. Two homers and five RBIs from the Braves third baseman sparked the best offensive performance of the season so far.

3. The offense finally showed up early. Atlanta jumped out quickly and built a lead before Toronto could blink. That’s the formula the Braves have been missing.

4. The lineup showed depth. Even without Ozuna, Atlanta got big hits from Murphy, Riley, Albies, and Allen. Eli White added a double and a walk, continuing to provide quality at-bats.

5. Big momentum shift. After a tough road trip in Tampa, this kind of performance could be the jolt Atlanta needs to get rolling.