The Atlanta Braves took on the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota with a lineup that might not have seemed intimidating at first glance, but the results told a different story. The Braves' pitching duo of Garrett Baumann and José Suarez set the tone early, keeping a strong Orioles lineup in check over four innings.
Baumann was particularly impressive, retiring all six batters he faced in his two innings, striking out one. His performance drew praise even before the game, showing why he's a promising talent for the Braves.
José Suarez followed Baumann and, while not flawless, he managed to keep the Orioles scoreless over his two innings. Suarez walked two but struck out three, including a notable strikeout of Pete Alonso, who has been hitting well this spring.
However, the Braves' pitching hit a bump when Hunter Stratton took the mound. He struggled, giving up two hits and three runs, including an RBI double by Luis Vázquez. Elison Joseph walked in another run after Stratton's exit, marking a tough outing for the Braves' bullpen.
On the offensive side, the Braves showcased a mix of seasoned players and newcomers. Eli White and Dominic Smith both delivered crucial RBI hits in the third inning, putting Atlanta ahead.
Smith, in particular, shone with two hits, three times on base, and solid defense, making a strong case for a spot on the Opening Day roster. White also contributed with a pair of hits, strengthening his claim for a bench role.
The Braves' offense truly exploded in the sixth inning after the Orioles swapped out their starters. Atlanta racked up eight runs, highlighted by Nacho Alvarez Jr.'s go-ahead double and Jorge Mateo's grand slam, which blew the game wide open. Unfortunately, Chadwick Tromp was hit by a pitch and had to leave the game as a precaution, especially concerning since it was a hit to the helmet.
Defensively, Jim Jarvis made a crucial play with the bases loaded, helping the Braves escape a jam. As a non-roster invitee, Jarvis is a long shot for the Opening Day roster, but plays like that could certainly earn him a closer look.
The Braves secured the Grapefruit League win, even though Spencer Strider was originally slated to start. He completed his work on the back fields and is expected to start on Saturday.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on Reynaldo López as the Braves face the Tigers at CoolToday Park. Fans hope López can replicate the success of Baumann and Suarez rather than last season's spring struggles.