Strider Returns, But Braves’ Bats Fall Silent After Second Inning Surge in D.C.

After a thrilling series win in Boston, the Braves cool off against Washington in a frustrating 5-3 loss.

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After taking two out of three in a gritty series at Fenway Park, the Atlanta Braves rolled into Nationals Park on Tuesday night hoping to carry that momentum into a division matchup. The opponent? A familiar foe in the Washington Nationals—a team Atlanta had just handled at home the week prior. With the Braves sitting at 24-23 and the Nats at 21-27, the stage was set for game one of a three-game set in our nation’s capital.

The big story of the night was Spencer Strider’s return to the mound after a stint on the injured list with a right hamstring strain. Braves fans had waited nearly a month to see the fireballer back in action. Meanwhile, Washington sent lefty Mitchell Parker to the bump, hoping to build off his recent solid outings.

Let’s walk through how the night unfolded in Washington, where early fireworks quickly gave way to a game that slowly slipped from the Braves’ grasp.

First Inning Blues

It was a quiet start for the Braves’ offense as they went down 1-2-3 in the top of the first, giving the Nationals a chance to strike first. And strike they did.

Strider’s first inning back was anything but smooth. The Nationals tagged him for three runs on four straight hits—including a wild pitch. Though he managed to end the inning with a strikeout and a heads-up tag out at second, it was already 3-0 Washington. A tough welcome back.

A Quick Response in the Second

The Braves wasted no time responding in the top of the second. Matt Olson led off with an absolute moonshot—419 feet to straightaway center for his 10th homer of the year, continuing his hot streak from Boston. Sean Murphy grounded out, but the bats weren’t done.

Ozzie Albies followed with a double, and then Eli White brought him home with a double of his own. Not to be outdone, Michael Harris II ripped a third straight double, driving in White to tie the game 3-3. The inning ended with Harris being forced out at third and a groundout by Verdugo, but Atlanta had climbed back into it.

Nationals Nudge Ahead Again

In the bottom of the second, Strider looked poised to settle in with two quick outs. But Nationals young talent Dylan Crews had other plans, launching a solo shot to left to give Washington the lead once again. Then came a strange sequence—CJ Abrams was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a pickoff error, but was caught in a rundown and tagged out by Sean Murphy. A chaotic but effective way to end the inning. 4-3 Nats.

Offenses Cool Off

The third inning saw the Braves threaten with a walk and a single, but Matt Olson grounded into a double play and Sean Murphy popped out. From there, the Atlanta offense went cold. Over the next six innings, the Braves would be retired in order five times.

Strider worked through the fourth without much trouble, hitting one batter but keeping Washington off the board. He started the fifth by walking a batter and recording an out before manager Brian Snitker made the call to the bullpen.

Strider’s final line:

4.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 75 pitches

His fastball touched 97 mph, but the command and sharpness clearly weren’t all the way back yet.

Bullpen Battle and Missed Opportunities

Aaron Bummer entered and kept things quiet in the fifth and sixth, allowing just a walk. The Braves had a chance in the sixth after the Nationals went to the bullpen, ending Parker’s night. But Atlanta couldn't capitalize, and the inning ended with another 1-2-3 frame.

The bottom of the seventh brought more trouble for the Braves, this time off lefty Dylan Lee. After a hit and a balk, Washington cashed in with a sac fly from Nathaniel Lowe to make it 5-3.

Stuart Fairchild, pinch-hitting for Verdugo, gave the Braves some hope with a leadoff single in the eighth, but an Austin Riley double play killed the momentum.

Then came a bizarre moment in the bottom of the eighth, as reliever Rafael Montero went through four gloves after the umpires were unsure about possible substances. Eventually cleared, Montero got out of the inning unscathed.

Heading into the ninth down 5-3, the Braves needed a spark. Instead, they went down quietly—again. Another 1-2-3 inning. Another missed opportunity.

Final: Nationals 5, Braves 3

Mitchell Parker earned the win, improving to 4-3, while Spencer Strider took the loss in his return, falling to 0-2. Kyle Finnegan picked up his 15th save of the season for Washington.

Atlanta drops to 24-24, now sitting at .500. Washington improves to 22-27. The Braves’ bats, after a promising second inning, vanished for the final seven frames. They were retired in order in five separate innings and never truly threatened again.

Postgame Reactions:

Brian Snitker on Strider’s return:

"He’s got to start somewhere. The more he throws, the better he’s gonna get."

Spencer Strider was brutally honest with himself:

“Didn’t give us a chance to win the game really. Just gotta be better.”

“Hate to see the guys put up a three spot and immediately give up the lead.”

“I’m pretty well aware of some stuff I need to improve on.”

“I don’t enjoy failing.”

“If I can’t be better then I don’t need to be out there.”

Clearly, Strider is holding himself accountable—and with his work ethic, there’s no doubt he’ll work through these growing pains.

Final Thoughts: Not Enough from the Lineup, and Rust from Strider

This loss wasn’t about a bullpen collapse or a meltdown. It was about missed opportunities and an offense that disappeared after the second inning.

Matt Olson continues to rake, and Michael Harris II had a clutch RBI, but Riley, Murphy, and Ozuna combined to go 0-for-11.

Strider, meanwhile, showed flashes of his electric stuff but clearly wasn’t in full command. His velocity was decent, but location and rhythm were inconsistent. That’s to be expected in a return from a hamstring injury, especially with how important his lower half is to his delivery.

For a team that’s built to slug its way to wins, Atlanta can't afford to go down quietly for multiple innings. Even with Strider back, it means little without run support. And though it’s only late May, the NL East race won’t wait around.

Looking Ahead: Bounce Back Opportunity Tomorrow

Game two of the series is set for Wednesday night at 6:45 p.m. ET from Nationals Park. The Braves will send AJ Smith-Shawver (3-2, 2.33 ERA) to the mound, hoping he can continue his strong start to 2025. The Nationals will counter with Trevor Williams (2-5, 5.91 ERA).

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The Braves will look to respond and regain momentum before they let a winnable series get away.