Ozzie Albies’ walk-off homer lifts Braves to win
The Braves had lost four of five, a rare mishap in what’s been a season of so much promise. They’d suffered some injuries, a recurring theme that had been bothersome but not disastrous as the team continued piling up wins.
A major strength of these Braves, observers have learned, is their ability to rebound. They’ve done it again this weekend.
The Braves followed Friday’s thriller with another victory Saturday, defeating the Brewers 4-3 at Truist Park on second baseman Ozzie Albies’ home run. They’ve won the series over their fellow division leaders, and they’re positioned to sweep Milwaukee potentially.
“I just love the way we’ve responded to our tough stretch,” manager Walt Weiss said.
Albies mashed two homers, including a two-run, walk-off shot off Aaron Ashby, who took his first loss of the season.
The game was a microcosm of what makes this team so menacing; its resilience and mental fortitude continue to be a separating factor. Albies, who’s been with the Braves since late in the 2017 season and has been part of this entire era of success, didn’t mince words when it came to how unique he views this club.
“This team is really special,” Albies said. “I’ve been on this team for a long time with a really special group each year. But this one is definitely, I’ll say, one of the top two that I have on the list. It’s a special team, great group of guys. Our staff does anything to prepare us every single day to go and compete.”
Albies clarified the other team in his top two was the 2021 club that won the World Series. It’s exceptionally high praise given the Braves have been consistent contenders outside the 2025 season.
First-year manager Weiss, who was the bench coach for the other Braves teams on which Albies played, was impressed when informed of his player’s comment.
“That’s coming from a pretty good source right there,” Weiss said. “That’s a strong statement, we’ve had some really good teams here, but I’d tend to agree with him from where I sit.”
Saturday was Albies’ first multihomer game of what’s been a season-long renaissance following two injury-disrupted campaigns. Albies is sporting a .788 OPS after posting a .685 mark over the past two seasons.
“Ozzie’s having a heck of a year for us,” Weiss said.
The Braves (48-27) and Brewers (45-29) are already vying for home-field advantage in October. Record and eye test-wise, these are the best challengers to the two-time reigning champion Dodgers (49-27).
And so the Braves earning two uber-competitive wins over the Brewers is meaningful. The teams have looked like near equals, but one of them has found a way to close.
“The fun thing about this team is we’re never out of it,” starter Chris Sale said. “No matter the situation we’re in, we could be down one, down five, seventh inning, fourth inning, ninth inning; we always feel like we have a chance.”
Sale described his outing as “good enough,” noting he kept the Braves close. He surrendered two runs over 5⅔ innings. The Braves’ offense was quieted much of the afternoon by the Brewers’ own stud, lefty Kyle Harrison.
Sale’s season ERA is 2.14, positioning him for his third All-Star nod in as many seasons with the Braves.
The Braves and Brewers conclude their series Sunday when Bryce Elder (5-4, 3.15 ERA) opposes Robert Gasser (0-3, 4.88).