Today's Three Things: Braves Obliterate Guardians in Power Barrage
The Atlanta Braves brought the big bats to Truist Park for City Connect weekend
The Atlanta Braves took down the Cleveland Guardians 11-5 in Truist Park on Friday night.
Here is Today’s Three Things from the contest.
The Turning Point
Atlanta’s offense exploded in the 6th inning, putting this game away, but they would have been clawing back in if not for how the top of the 5th unfolded.
With the game tied at one after first baseman Kyle Manzardo took Bryce Elder deep, the top of the 5th started off innocently enough: Bp Naylor grounded out before a softly-hit single by Angel Martínez gave Cleveland a baserunner.
But then, the wheels started to come off for Elder. Angel Martinez stole second during Brayan Rocchio’s plate appearance, which ended in a walk. Steven Kwan then ambushed a cutter that caught too much of the plate, shooting it to left and scoring Martínez from second. Chase DeLauter then walked on five pitches, with only the one strike being remotely close to the zone, to load the bases. Elder was able to buckle down and strike out José Ramirez in a really impressive fashion, elevating a sinker that he swung under, but manager Walt Weiss had seen enough.
Despite Elder being at just 76 pitches, Kyle Manzardo was up next and Weiss didn’t want to risk it; he went to lefty Aaron Bummer, who induced a pop-up on an elevated curveball to end the inning and hold Cleveland to just one run despite sending seven batters to the plate.
Today’s Player of the Game
By vote of the Braves Postcast, it’s going to Ronald Acuña Jr.
Atlanta’s rightfielder got his first home run of the 2026 season, turning on an inside curveball to lead off the 6th inning and tie the game at two.
The homer seemed to put Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi on the ropes, as he very quickly unraveled as Atlanta put up six runs in the frame. Drake Baldwin and Matt Olson both capitalized on his shakiness, swinging at the first strike they got in their at-bats to single to center (Baldwin) and homer to right (Olson) to stake Atlanta to a 4-2 lead. The Braves would go on to get two more singles, a double, and a homer in the inning to knock Cecconi from the game and take a 7-2 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Ronald finished with two hits, two RBI, and the one run scored. He also had three hard-hit balls on the evening, giving him 20 on the season and at least one in each of the last 13 games.
What You’ll Be Talking About
As much as this was just a fun game to watch, a lot of the conversation late centered around the struggles of longman José Suarez.
Entering in the 7th inning and staked to a seven-run lead, Suarez allowed Cleveland to get three runs back thanks to three hard-hit balls, a walk, and a soft single that fell in the triangle between shortstop, left field, and center. With runners on the corners and the tying run on deck, manager Walt Weiss pulled Suarez for reliever Joel Payamps, who needed just three pitches to end the inning on a flyout to center.
Suarez was charged with three runs on four hits and a walk while recording only two outs. His ERA on the season is now up to 9.95 and, with prospect Didier Fuentes being a rumored call-up amongst a five-day window to avoid using his minor league option this year, Suarez has positioned himself squarely on the chopping block. That’s now two outings this year where he’s been unable to find the zone and has allowed runs, with seven runs and four walks in just 6.1 innings.
Looking for more discussion about this game?
Here’s tonight’s Postcast, with me and Locked On Braves host Jake Mastroianni, as we went live to break down the win/loss.
What’s Next for the Braves?
The Braves are back in action tomorrow, with LHP Martín Pérez (0-0, 3.86) taking on fellow lefty Parker Messick (1-0, 0.82) at 7:15 PM ET.