Braves Clinch 8‑5 Victory Over Rangers

Dual Home‑Run Showdown

Austin Riley and Drake Baldwin each flashed two home runs, propelling the Braves to an 8‑5 triumph on Sunday. Baldwin not only compiled a career‑high five hits but also became the first Braves catcher to double up from the plate since Johnny Estrada’s two‑homer effort on May 15, 2004. Riley contributed three hits and four runs batted in, lifting his average to .217 after the game. Nathan Eovaldi, the Rangers starter, gave up four runs in four innings and now sits third on his own list of season home‑run allowances with 22.

Why This Win Matters

The Braves claimed their 21st series victory of the season, matching the total they posted in 2025. Both Atlanta and Texas entered the contest as division leaders, so the result kept each club atop the NL East and AL West. The sweep also highlighted the Braves’ ability to bounce back after a sluggish start, especially for Riley, who was hitting just .207 before the All‑Star break. Austin Riley turned the momentum with three homers across the three‑game set.

Riley’s Hot Streak

Riley entered the All‑Star break with a .207 average and nine home runs, but he exploded for three homers in the series, including a two‑run single in the seventh. He opened the scoring with a solo shot and added another in his second at‑bat against Nathan Eovaldi, who now has surrendered 22 home runs this season. The three home runs lifted Riley’s average to .217 and gave the Braves a crucial offensive spark. His performance against Eovaldi marked the first time he homered in each of his first two trips to the plate this year.

Texas’s Late Rally

The Rangers mounted a comeback after falling behind 4‑0, scoring three runs in the fifth inning. Wyatt Langford drove in a run with a double during that inning and later capped a three‑hit night with a ninth‑inning home run off Braves closer Raisel Iglesias. Langford’s late homer narrowed the deficit but could not prevent the Braves from holding on for the win. The Rangers finished the game with three extra‑base hits, all coming from Langford.

Upcoming Matchups

Jacob de Grom, the Rangers’ two‑time Cy Young Award winner, returns to the mound Monday night against the Chicago White Sox after missing his previous start with a mild left‑glute strain. de Grom, who boasts a 7‑5 record and 3.49 ERA, will look to re‑establish his command in what marks the Rangers’ home‑opener of a three‑game series. Meanwhile, the Braves will counter with RHP Bryce Elder (5‑6, 4.12) facing San Diego’s LHP JP Sears (2‑2, 5.03). Both clubs aim to build on their momentum as the stretch run intensifies.