BALTIMORE — If things had to get worse before they got better, then the Braves are heading in the right direction.
Patience was once again tested as the Braves dropped a fourth straight game with a 4-0 loss to the Orioles on Tuesday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. This was another frustration-filled effort by a talented Atlanta lineup that has been shut out more times over the past six games than it had been over the previous calendar year.
“We can’t can’t fix what just happened today or what happened yesterday or the day before,” starting pitcher Max Fried said. “We’ve just got to make sure we take care of our business today. Now, it’s about getting ready for tomorrow.”
The Braves had gone 181 games without being held scoreless before being blanked last Wednesday at Fenway Park. That streak went all the way back to May 12, 2023. This latest shutout-less streak lasted less than a week.
“We’re not scoring enough runs. We’re not bunching anything together,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I don’t know what else to say. We’ve just got to keep working and hope at some point this thing turns around.”
Snitker made adjustments to his lineup for the series opener, but unfortunately, they didn’t yield the desired results. The team’s recent struggles have been evident, with 22 losses in their last 38 games, including 16 out of their last 25. These issues predate the season-ending injury to Ronald Acuña Jr. on May 26, though his absence has certainly had an impact on a team that appears to have lost its way over the past six weeks.
Despite the frustrations, first baseman Matt Olson emphasized the importance of maintaining morale and continuing to work hard. He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of baseball and expressed optimism that the team’s fortunes could change quickly.
The Braves’ challenges were evident early in the game, as they were spared facing Gunnar Henderson, one of the top MVP candidates in the American League, along with Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker. However, Jorge Mateo, who hadn’t played since June 2, seized the opportunity, hitting a three-run homer off Max Fried with a curveball in the second inning.
This home run marked the first time Fried had allowed a home run on an 0-2 curveball in his career. Despite his best efforts, the pitch didn’t go as planned, resulting in Mateo capitalizing with a home run that would have cleared the fence in most MLB ballparks, according to Statcast.
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