In what was one of the wilder games of the 2025 season, the Atlanta Braves mounted a comeback in the 9th inning and walked it off in the 11th by way of a 5-4 score to take three out of four from the Cincinnati Reds. The thrilling encounter at Truist Park saw the Braves showcase resilience and determination, ultimately improving their record to 18-19.
In the 11th inning, with two runners on, two outs, and two strikes, rookie Drake Baldwin stepped in against veteran lefty Taylor Rogers. Baldwin fouled off a couple of tough pitches to stay alive and then smacked a fastball at the top of the zone past the diving third baseman, scoring Ozzie Albies to clinch the victory. The unsung hero of the night was Scott Blewett, who tossed perfect 10th and 11th innings to keep the score tied until Baldwin could send them home.
The Braves needed the magic in the bottom of the 9th, trailing by two runs. Ozzie Albies walked, Sean Murphy smacked a single, and Eli White bunted in a run while advancing pinch-runner Eddie Rosario to second. Michael Harris, the hero just two nights earlier, then inside-outed a weak grounder perfectly past the shortstop to score Rosario and tie the game at 4-4.
Earlier in the game, the Reds had taken the lead in the top of the 9th. With the score tied at 2-2, Raisel Iglesias hung a slider on an 0-2 pitch that Rece Hinds launched over the left field wall, giving the Reds a 4-2 lead. This was a significant moment for Hinds, who had been looking to break out of a slump. Coming off a tough stretch, Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo put together another impressive performance, allowing only two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts.
The Braves struck first in the game, capitalizing on Lodolo’s early struggles. Austin Riley doubled, followed by a single from Marcell Ozuna, and Matt Olson contributed a sacrifice fly, giving Atlanta a 1-0 lead. However, the Reds responded in the fifth inning with a Jose Trevino RBI double, which tied the game at 1-1.
In the fifth, the Braves quickly regained the lead thanks to a bunt single from Eli White and an RBI triple from Michael Harris, making it 2-1. The turning point came in the seventh inning when the Reds tied the game again. Tyler Stephenson drew a walk, and Trevino doubled down the left field line, setting up Hinds to tie it with a double down the right field line.
As the game progressed, the tension escalated. In the top of the 9th, the Reds took a short-lived lead with Hinds’ two-run homer. However, the Braves rallied back. Graham Ashcraft, who had come in for the save, faced difficulties as he walked the leadoff batter, leading to a series of hits and defensive miscues that allowed Atlanta to tie the game.
With the stakes high, the game moved into extra innings. The 11th inning featured a controversial out call on an attempted steal of second base, resulting in the ejection of Reds manager Colin Cowgill and Terry Francona after a heated argument regarding an obstruction call on Ozzie Albies.
Despite the setbacks, the Reds showed flashes of brilliance, particularly from Lodolo, who demonstrated his potential as a top starter. His performance was a silver lining in an otherwise disappointing game for Cincinnati, as they fell to 19-20 on the season.
Looking ahead, the Braves will continue their NL Central road trip with a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who recently fired manager Derek Shelton after a dismal start to the season. The Braves will look to capitalize on the Pirates’ struggles, with Bryce Elder slated to pitch against a yet-to-be-determined starter at 6:40 p.m. ET on Friday.
The Reds, on the other hand, will face the Houston Astros, with Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.19 ERA) pitching against Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67 ERA) on Friday, May 9, 2025. As both teams navigate through the season, they will be looking to build momentum and secure vital wins.
This game not only showcased the competitive spirit of both teams but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of baseball, where fortunes can change in a matter of moments. Fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the season progresses.
