Braves Struggle in Defeat to Red Sox, Highlighted by Critical Errors The Atlanta Braves suffered an 8-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night at Fenway Park, marking their second consecutive series defeat and raising concerns about their defensive execution. The game’s turning point came in the fourth inning when a critical error by first baseman Matt Olson allowed Boston to score six runs, overshadowing the performance of starting pitcher Bryce Elder, who endured his first rough start of the season. Manager Walt Weiss acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “The game got away from us in the fourth inning. We didn’t really take care of the ball.” The Braves will need to secure a win in Thursday’s series finale to avoid a rare two-series losing streak. Elder, who entered the game with a 2.50 ERA and 13 consecutive starts allowing three earned runs or fewer, faced challenges in the fourth inning. With runners on second and third and one out, Olson failed to field a sharp grounder hit by Marcelo Mayer, allowing Masataka Yoshida to attempt a risky steal. Olson’s error, combined with subsequent singles to three consecutive batters, led to Elder being replaced by Dylan Dodd. Dodd allowed two inherited runners to score on a single by Wilyer Abreu, exacerbating the Braves’ deficit. Despite the outing, Elder’s season ERA remains sixth in the National League, and Weiss expressed confidence in the pitcher, noting, “That’s the first really tough one he’s had in a really long time.” The game’s outcome was further influenced by a defensive play in the first inning, where left fielder Mauricio Dubón threw out Ceddanne Rafaela at the plate, preventing a potential run.#atlanta_braves #boston_red_sox #walt_weiss #fenway_park #matt_olson
Atlanta Braves beat Detroit Tigers despite Tarik Skubal's strong start The Atlanta Braves secured a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on April 29, 2026, despite a dominant performance from Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. The game, played at Truist Park, ended with a walk-off home run by Matt Olson in the ninth inning, capping a dramatic night for both teams. Olson’s two-run shot off reliever Kenley Jansen sent the Braves to a win, extending their record against the Tigers and dropping the Tigers to 15-16 on the season. Skubal, the reigning two-time Cy Young winner, pitched seven strong innings, allowing just two runs while striking out seven. His performance was bolstered by stellar defensive plays from the Tigers’ infield, particularly third baseman Colt Keith, who made several key stops to keep the Braves’ offense in check. However, the Tigers’ struggles at the plate proved costly, as they managed only three runs in the first three innings and just one hit the rest of the way. The game’s turning point came in the eighth inning when the Tigers’ bullpen faltered. After Kyle Finnegan issued two two-out walks, the Braves’ lineup capitalized on the free bases, setting the stage for Olson’s heroics. Jansen, who had been dominant in previous games, walked leadoff hitter Ozzie Albies to start the ninth inning, putting pressure on the Tigers’ defense. Olson then launched a middle-middle cutter into the bullpen, sending the crowd into a frenzy and securing the win for the Braves. Skubal’s performance was highlighted by his ability to adjust to the Braves’ offensive threats. After allowing a two-run homer in the first inning, he settled into a rhythm, using his fastball and breaking balls to keep the Braves’ hitters off balance.#detroit_tigers #atlanta_braves #tarik_skubal #matt_olson #aj_hinch
