Braves do it again, beat Nationals in exciting extra-innings comeback

For six innings, it appeared the Braves had exhausted their offense over those final few days in Miami. No worries, these nights are inevitable over the 162-game slog of a regular season, even for 100-win clubs.

But then the 2026 Braves delivered in the enthralling fashion that’s made them so endearing. And catcher Chadwick Tromp emerged as the unexpected savior this time in their 5-4 victory in 11 innings.

It started in the seventh with the Braves down 1-0. Dominic Smith, who so perfectly embodies this season, delivered a game-tying RBI single. The go-ahead run then scored on the struggling Ha-Seong Kim’s bunt.

The Nationals were undeterred as Robert Suarez surrendered a homer to CJ Abrams that reset the game again.

Enter extra innings, when Washington carried a two-run advantage into the bottom of the 10th. The Braves then equaled the score again, sparked by Tromp’s lead-off RBI single.

Washington gave seemingly every punch it could. Each one appeared a mild inconvenience to these Braves. The two additional frames delivered the common result, capped by Tromp’s 11th-inning single that resulted in his first walk-off hit.

Final: Braves 5, Nationals 4. And another opponent again learned the perils of giving these Braves any ounce of opportunity.

“It was another example of what the season has been like,” manager Walt Weiss said.

After looking dormant for two-thirds of Friday, the Braves began this one-series homestand with a win. They moved to 36-16, 20 games above .500.

It was another victory that felt “stolen,” a blessing provided by Bryce Elder and Didier Fuentes holding the Nationals to a single run while the offense sought an opening.

The Braves are too menacing to hold down. If the pitching keeps them within a run, the game will be ripe for late-inning heroics.

Smith was a key component, as he’s often been. The veteran was an afterthought in spring training, only making the initial roster thanks to Jurickson Profar’s suspension. Yet he immediately became a crucial contributor to the National League’s best team.

He was hitting .409 (9-for-22) with runners in scoring position entering the night. He’s been so consistently successful that the Braves and their fans expect him to come through in those spots, even against a lefty like Washington’s Mitchell Parker – quite the testament to a non-roster invitee of months ago.

Tromp, here due to an injury to standout Drake Baldwin, sparked the 10th with his RBI single up the middle. Then he ended it with a two-out hit in the ensuing frame. He didn’t even start the game.

But he became the latest unheralded name to play an important part in this team’s magnificence.

“It’s been awesome,” Tromp said. “It felt like I was in a good spot coming back here. We’re just trying to get some wins. I know the boys are rolling, everybody is doing well, so I’m just trying to come in and do the best I can.”

Tromp and Sandy Leon won’t replace Baldwin and Sean Murphy, but they’ve proven they can handle themselves - and the pitching staff, which is where their organizational familiarly looms large.

Elder’s remarkable season just continues rolling along regardless of opponent. He surrendered one run – a Curtis Mead homer – on five hits over six frames, lowering his ERA below 2.00 to 1.97. Elder has allowed two or fewer runs in eight of his 11 outings, and he’s never given up more than three.

Once a piñata for dissatisfied fans, Elder looks well on his way to his second All-Star nod.

“It’s amazing, but to me it’s expected because of the work he puts in,” Tromp said. “He’s one of the best competitors I’ve seen. I’ve seen him since before he got to the big leagues. It’s been the same preparation. His mind is very sharp and he believes in his stuff.

“A lot of times, as players, you can get carried away when the narrative isn’t in your favor. But the way he prepares, and I know that he doesn’t give a damn. That’s his attitude. It’s been a pleasure to see him and I expect him to keep doing it.”

Credit to the Nationals, who’ve been immensely more competent than expected. Their offense has been legitimately elite: The Nationals led MLB in runs (280) entering the night. They ranked fifth in wRC+ behind only the Dodgers, Braves, Yankees and Cubs. They’ve hovered around .500 because their pitching isn’t close to postseason caliber.

The staff largely contained the Braves on Friday. It didn’t ultimately matter. The Braves relish any chance to win, whether they need to outslug you or emerge from a duel of scarce offense. And that’s why they’re one of baseball’s two-best clubs, and comfortably in pole position atop the National League.

The team is playing with a renewed urgency, which Elder partly attributes to last season’s failures. The 2025 Braves were undone by injuries and underperforming, seeing their seven-year playoff streak snapped by a 76-win campaign.

“I think that’s the biggest thing, struggling last year,” Elder said. “Nobody wants to lose. We lost enough last year. We figured out that this year we’d have to handle things differently. I think we’ve done that very well.”

Outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., who left Thursday’s game with a left thumb bone bruise, was back in the lineup and hit leadoff. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.

Weiss said Acuña made it clear a day earlier that he’d be OK to play. It was a relief that Acuña avoided any serious injury. He’s already spent time on the injured list this season.