In Los Angeles, Bryce Elder’s return to the Braves’ rotation had been promising, but his latest outing against the Dodgers turned sour. The right-handed pitcher struggled, giving up seven hits, including three home runs, and issuing four walks, resulting in seven runs over just 3 1/3 innings in an 11-2 loss for Atlanta. This defeat marked the team’s second consecutive loss in the three-game series and their fifth loss in the last seven games overall.
Elder’s troubles were highlighted in the fourth inning, where despite the Braves scoring a run to narrow the gap, he promptly conceded it back to the Dodgers. Elder’s difficulty with location compounded as he walked batters and faced a relentless Dodgers lineup that capitalized on his mistakes. Elder acknowledged the challenge of pitching against such a formidable lineup, recognizing that sometimes they simply outplay you.
The game saw Elder struggle from the early innings, with walks preceding home runs by Dodgers hitters like Max Muncy and Shohei Ohtani. Despite Elder’s strong showings in his previous two outings, this performance was disappointing, especially considering his earlier success since joining the Braves in 2024.
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The Braves’ offensive struggles continued against Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow, who dominated with ten strikeouts over seven innings, limiting Atlanta to just two runs and five hits. Manager Brian Snitker acknowledged Glasnow’s formidable presence on the mound.
However, amidst the disappointment, there were some bright spots for the Braves, notably Ronald Acuña Jr.’s strong performance with three hits, including a stolen base and a run scored. Acuña’s efforts, though commendable, were ultimately not enough to turn the tide against the Dodgers.
As the Braves face a challenging period, Snitker remains optimistic, urging his team to rebound from their current rut and approach the next game with renewed determination.
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