Baldwin, Sale Propel Braves to Series Win Over Athletics
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves secured their second series victory of the young season on Wednesday, leaning on a dominant pitching performance from veteran Chris Sale and a breakout afternoon from catcher Drake Baldwin to best the Oakland Athletics 5-1 at Truist Park.
Sale anchored the effort from the mound, stifling the opposition through six dominant innings. The left-hander allowed only one hit, effectively neutralizing the Athletics’ lineup and providing a sturdy foundation for the Braves to close out their season-opening homestand on a high note.
At the plate, the spotlight remained firmly on 2025 National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin. The 25-year-old continued his blistering start to the 2026 campaign, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs and adding a walk. His offensive contributions proved to be the difference-maker, as he delivered a pair of crucial two-out hits that forced the Athletics into a deficit they could not overcome.
The momentum for Baldwin has been building steadily. Entering Wednesday’s contest, he had already recorded three home runs in his first five games, including a solo shot in Tuesday’s 5-2 loss. Baldwin is currently batting 7-for-22 through six games with a team-high seven RBIs, signaling that his rookie-year success was no anomaly.
While his versatility behind the plate has been a staple of his rise, Braves manager Walt Weiss is looking to maximize Baldwin’s presence in the lineup even when he isn’t playing catcher. Weiss announced that Baldwin will shift to the designated hitter spot against left-handed starters moving forward, specifically noting his inclusion in the lineup for Friday’s matchup against Royals southpaw Cole Ragans, while Jonah Heim handles catching duties.
The Athletics, meanwhile, struggled to generate offense against the surgical precision of the Braves’ rotation. Even when they managed effective defensive plays—such as when center fielder Denzel Clarke robbed Baldwin of an extra-base hit in the seventh inning—the Oakland squad found little traction against the Atlanta depth.
With this 5-1 victory, the Braves have now claimed their second series win in as many tries this season. Following his stellar performance on Wednesday, Baldwin remains the focal point of a surging Atlanta lineup. Having already endeared himself to the home crowd—even launching a home run on his own bobblehead night earlier this season—the Missouri State product appears poised for a sophomore campaign that could rival his breakout 2025 performance.
The Braves now turn their attention to the road, carrying the momentum of a successful home stretch as they prepare to face the Royals.
