Well, if you were hoping for a similar result as last night’s game, where the Atlanta Braves would rally late in the ninth to get ahead, today wasn’t that day.
The Kansas City Royals have avoided getting swept by the Braves, winning their first game of the year to cap off Opening Week with a score of 4-1.
The Royals first scored three straight runs in three straight innings and first appeared on the board in the third after a run from Nick Loftin after a RBI single from Bobby Witt Jr., Loftin would go on to score another run in the top of the fifth after a homer from Carter Jensen in the fourth.
As for the Braves’ offense, they couldn’t get a runner in scoring position until the bottom of the fifth inning first time braves runner was in scoring position was when Ozzie Albies singled on a line drive to center field and made it to third base due to an RBI single from Dominic Smith. This wouldn’t result in any progress, though, as Jorge Mateo would ground out to end the inning. Mike Yastrzemski would be the next player to reach second base with a leadoff double in the bottom of the seventh.
It was in the bottom of the eighth where the Braves would see some run-action with a solo-shot from Drake Baldwin that would put the Braves on the Board (4-1) with his second homer of the season.
As phenomenal as it looked, it wouldn’t be enough to get ahead as they ended the game with seven total hits, one run and 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
Taking a look at the pitching side of things, Grant Holmes did not deliver what fans and the team were expecting to see in his performance today. Giving up five hits and three runs, and only two strikeouts in his five total innings, it’s an understatement to say that this was a rocky entrance for the starter.
The confidence that was needed to start today didn’t give much to look forward to as a strong starter to help lead the team to future victories. Off games happen, but starting with one in the first series raises premature concerns, especially when the strength depth is already in question.
There was something to be hopeful about. 20-year-old Didier Fuentes ( 4 IP/ 2 H/ 1 ER/ 1 BB/ 4K) came in the sixth to relieve Holmes, starting his 2026 season and fifth major league game off with two strikeouts against Jensen and Jac Caglianone in the inning, and also cruising effortlessly in the seventh, finishing with a 1-2-3 inning.
Now, it was in the eighth where he ran into a little trouble, giving up a walk and a single, striking out Salvador Perez with his 97 mph four-seamer, but also allowing a run after a sac RBI from Jensen to bring in Witt Jr. for that fourth and final run.
Still, his performance overall was a solid start, and though it’s just his first season start, that, along with his Spring Training outings, should be enough to keep him as a reliable arm for the team as we look to future series.
Though it wasn’t the outcome the team was expecting, on a positive note, their first series win is secured, and they’ve avoided a 0-7 start going into a new season.
The Athletics are in town to face the Braves tomorrow night, where Bryce Elder will be set to face Jacob Lopez in the 7:15 p.m. start.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.batterypower.com ’
