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New York Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Braves takeaways: Hurston Waldrep adjusts, thrives; Drake Baldwin, Michael Harris II stay hot
ATLANTA — In an eventful seven days for the Atlanta Braves that began with a win at the speedway in Bristol, Tenn., and ended with a series-clinching doubleheader sweep of the previously surging Miami Marlins, a pair of rookies gave Braves fans something to be excited about from the team's woeful season. Advertisement It wasn't anything they hadn't already seen from catcher Drake Baldwin, a front-runner for NL Rookie of the Year, whose 10 RBIs in the first four games of the five-game Marlins series that ended Sunday were the most from a Braves rookie in any series in Atlanta-era franchise history and continued his season-long stellar play. But Hurston Waldrep? Now that was something new, at least for those Braves fans whose only previous exposure to Waldrep was two MLB starts last season when he looked overmatched and overwhelmed by the stage. These two rookies lead our takeaways from an eventful week for a team that's out of the postseason picture for the first time in eight years but has reason to feel good about its chances of being a contender again in 2026. After getting torched for 13 runs, nine hits (including three homers) and eight walks in seven innings over two major-league starts in June 2024, Waldrep has displayed sweeping improvement in his first call-up since, allowing just two runs, seven hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings over two games last week. The right-hander credits Braves veteran catcher Sean Murphy for a big early-season assist. Murphy was on a season-opening rehab assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett when he caught Waldrep's first start April 1. It was a solid outing against Nashville — three hits and one run allowed in five innings. But Murphy thought Waldrep's repertoire, built around an outstanding splitter plus a four-seam fastball, slider and occasional curveballs, could be better served with the addition of a sinker (two-seam fastball). 'The day after (that) start, he called me in,' said Waldrep, 23. 'He's like, 'Hey, man, let's go over the start a little bit. Let's look over some things.' He noticed some things in my four-seam. He's like, 'I think it would be really easy for you to throw a sinker right here.' And I agreed. I threw in the bullpen two days later.' Advertisement Murphy was activated by the Braves and gone before his next start, but the seed was planted. Waldrep felt comfortable with the sinker right away. 'It was a lot of video, a lot of comparing myself to other guys who have about the same arsenal and how it would play and work with (hitters on both sides),' he said. 'But (Murphy) was really helpful in the process and kind of opened some doors for me, and I knew that from what he was seeing that it would play really well.' It's not the only change Waldrep has made this season. There's a noticeably shorter leg kick, which has helped improve his command without sacrificing velocity. He's also throwing a cutter and more curveballs. But it's the sinker that's been a difference-making pitch at the big-league level. Waldrep has made it his second-most-used pitch behind the splitter and has thrown more than twice as many sinkers as four-seamers in two outings for Atlanta. He's using the sinker effectively against right-handed and left-handed hitters. It's obviously a small sample, but opponents are 1-for-7 with a single against his sinker, 1-for-12 with nine strikeouts against his splitter, and 1-for-1 against his four-seam fastball. 'He was a first-round pick because he had arm strength and an out pitch with the split, but now he's pitching,' said Braves manager Brian Snitker, indicating the rookie would stay in the rotation. 'He's mixing the curveball, the split's still a really good pitch for him, the sinker instead of (four-seamer). He's not having to pitch at 98 (mph) to be effective. His command's a lot better. There's a lot of really good stuff to like.' Waldrep pitched 5 2/3 innings of three-hit, one-run ball on extremely short notice Aug. 3 at Bristol. The game was suspended the night before, and he was driven 4 1/2 hours from Gwinnett early Sunday to face the Cincinnati Reds that day instead of making his scheduled Triple-A start. Advertisement Then, with regular preparation, he limited the Marlins to four hits and one run in six innings Saturday, with one walk and six strikeouts. Waldrep threw 61 strikes in 89 pitches, and Miami's only hit through five innings was a bunt. 'He's just very aggressive in the strike zone right now. It's confidence,' Murphy said. 'I love the way he's throwing.' Murphy, characteristically modest when asked about the sinker he introduced, downplayed his role and said Waldrep did all the work. 'I was just trying to give him options, to get to some other pitches and help him with not being quite as predictable,' Murphy said. 'And again, this is all a process with younger guys. They're always tweaking and looking for something. It's not like I haven't recommended pitches to guys before, but it's on the guy to develop the pitch. 'So the credit goes to Hurston. He's the one who went out there and developed the pitch, and it's comfortable now throwing it in big-league games after just a couple of months.' Big Bear 🤝 Money Mike #BravesCountry — Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 10, 2025 The offense from Baldwin has drawn praise since the first week of spring training, and teams that have faced him more than once this season have not been able to find weaknesses to exploit in the rookie's approach. Baldwin, out of the lineup Sunday afternoon after catching Saturday night, leads all qualified NL rookies in slugging percentage (.477) and OPS (.834) and ranks second in average (.289) and OBP (.357). He's also second among NL rookies in homers (13) and RBIs (51), behind the Marlins' Agustín Ramirez (17 and 52). Baldwin's 10 RBIs in the first four games of the five-game series against the Marlins set a Braves rookie record for any series in Atlanta franchise history. It was the most by any Brave in a series since Eddie Rosario had 10 in three games at the Colorado Rockies in June 2023. Advertisement The Braves won 7-1 Sunday to take four of five from a Miami team that won 10 of its previous 14 games. 'He's a really, really good hitter,' Snitker said of Baldwin, 24. 'He has a lot of confidence in himself and understands that he can play here. He's a real good player in this league. And as he amasses at-bats and experience, he's just going to get better.' What's made Baldwin's offense even more impressive is that he's done it primarily as a catcher — 54 starts at catcher, 10 at DH — with all that entails playing the most difficult position. There's physical wear and tear, and the mental side — calling pitches, daily meetings, film study and developing relationships and the trust of pitchers. 'He's been awesome,' said veteran pitcher Erick Fedde, who's made three starts since being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to Atlanta two weeks ago, with Baldwin catching two. 'He's been extremely approachable, easy to talk to. He understands a lot. I would never know he's a rookie, so I think it's a credit to him that he's been great and made me feel really confident when I get on the mound, that he's educated on the hitters and what he's doing back there.' With a home run and a double Sunday, center fielder Michael Harris II is tied for the NL lead with 14 extra-base hits in 17 games since July 25 and ranks second in slugging (.783) and third in average (.391) in that span. Harris was statistically the worst-hitting lineup regular in the majors for much of the season, batting .205 with a .310 slugging percentage and .539 OPS in 90 games through July 10. But since adjusting his stance by raising the starting position of his hands from chest-high to around ear level, Harris has been one of baseball's most-improved players, batting .359 with eight doubles, three triples and six homers in his past 26 games. Advertisement He's back to the hand positioning he used during his amateur and minor-league career. Harris said he dropped his hands after struggling initially upon being called up to the majors in May 2022. He had so much success after the initial switch in his rookie season, batting .297 with an .853 OPS in 114 games in 2022, that he stayed with it even as his stats slipped in subsequent seasons — to .293/.808 in 2023, then .264/.722 in 2024, and to his career-worst first half this season. Now that he's made the switch back, Harris feels comfortable and has no intention of dropping his hands again. (Photo of Hurston Waldrep: Brett Davis / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Canada News.Net
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
MLB roundup: Braves sweep Marlins in historic doubleheader
(Photo credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images) While Jen Pawol made Major League Baseball history by serving as the first-base umpire, Atlanta starter Hurston Waldrep allowed one run in six innings as the host Braves defeated the Miami Marlins 7-1 Saturday afternoon in Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader. Pawol, 48, became the first woman to umpire an MLB game and handled her duties without incident. Waldrep (2-0), making his first start this season, struck out six, walked one and scattered four hits. Michael Harris went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in the seventh to pace the Braves' offense. Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin added two hits apiece and Baldwin drove in two. Marlins starter Ryan Gusto (7-5) made his first start since being acquired from Houston at the trade deadline and allowed three runs in six innings while amassing a career-high-tying eight strikeouts. Xavier Edwards' sixth-inning single drove in the Marlins' lone run. Braves 8, Marlins 6 (Game 2) Marcell Ozuna hit a pair of long home runs to power host Atlanta over Miami to sweep a day-night doubleheader following a victory in the opener. Ozuna was 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. It gives him 18 home runs this season. Atlanta rookie Drake Baldwin went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and has driven in 10 runs in the series. Starter Erick Fedde (4-12) pitched five innings and allowed four runs on five hits. It was Fedde's first victory since May 9 when he was with St. Louis. Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara (6-11) worked five innings and allowed five runs on seven hits, four walks and four strikeouts. He gave up both of Ozuna's home runs. Yankees 5, Astros 4 Trent Grisham slugged a tiebreaking homer with two outs in the eighth inning as New York topped visiting Houston. Grisham had three hits after entering the game in a 5-for-36 slide and snapped a 4-4 tie by blasting a full-count fastball from Bryan King (3-3) into the second deck in right field. Grisham's 21st homer occurred after recent bullpen acquisitions Camilo Doval and David Bednar contributed to the Yankees blowing a two-run lead in the top half of the eighth. But Bednar (3-5) pitched out of a jam then fired a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his third win. Giancarlo Stanton drove in two runs for New York. Yankees starter Luis Gil allowed two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings in his second start back from a strained lat. For the Astros, Jeremy Pena hit his fourth career leadoff homer and Carlos Correa hit a tying RBI single in the fourth as the Astros lost for the 17th time in 27 games. Nationals 4, Giants 2 James Wood belted the third pitch of the game for a home run, Brad Lord worked six strong innings, and Washington held on for a road victory over San Francisco. Paul DeJong and Josh Bell also homered, while Lord (3-6), limited the Giants to one run and four hits in six innings. Jose A. Ferrer pitched out of eighth- and ninth-inning jams to help the Nationals even the three-game series at a win apiece with just the second victory in the last 10 games. A home run by Rafael Devers, his 22nd of the season, ended Lord's shutout bid in the sixth. Devers added a single and two walks to his home run, while Heliot Ramos also collected two hits for the Giants, who saw a three-game winning streak come to an end. Angels 7, Tigers 4 Taylor Ward had three hits, including a go-ahead two-run homer and Los Angeles defeated host Detroit. Ward scored two runs and knocked in three. Jo Adell hit a three-run homer and Luis Rengifo added a solo shot. Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi (6-7) gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings. Los Angeles closed out the game with four relievers each tossing an inning of scoreless relief, with Kenley Jansen picking up his 21st save. Javier Baez had three hits and scored a run for the Tigers. Matt Vierling, Gleyber Torres, Andy Ibanez and Jake Rogers drove in a run apiece. Charlie Morton (7-10), making his second start since being acquired from Baltimore, surrendered six runs on seven hits while recording 10 strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Reds 2, Pirates 1 Noelvi Marte had three hits and an RBI and scored the eventual winning run to lead Cincinnati to a victory over host Pittsburgh. Marte's efforts backed up a quality start from Nick Martinez (10-9), who gave up one run on four hits over seven innings to help the Reds snap a three-game skid. Reds closer Emilio Pagan secured his 25th save of the season. The Pirates had one last chance in the ninth to record what would have been their fifth win in a row against Cincinnati this season and third of this series. Spencer Horwitz led the Pirates with two of their seven hits. Athletics 11, Orioles 3 Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers each homered and combined to drive in seven runs as the Athletics blew out host Baltimore. Jack Perkins (1-2) pitched six innings for his first major league victory, giving up three runs on three hits. Hogan Harris took care of the ninth to ensure a split in the first two games of this series between two teams occupying last place in their respective American League divisions. Rooker knocked in four runs and Langeliers had three hits to go with his three RBIs. Gunnar Henderson provided Baltimore's offense with a three-run homer in the first. Brandon Young (0-6) took the loss as he surrendered six runs and six hits over three innings. Guardians 3, White Sox 1 C.J. Kayfus hit his first home run and Joey Cantillo pitched into the sixth inning as visiting Cleveland beat Chicago for its fifth straight win. Cantillo (3-2) allowed one run on four hits over 5 2/3 innings for Cleveland, which has won nine of its last 10. Nic Enright, Hunter Gaddis and Erik Sabrowski combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings before Cade Smith retired the White Sox in order in the ninth for his fifth save. Michael A. Taylor hit a solo homer for Chicago, which was held to four hits and lost its sixth straight. Brewers 7, Mets 4 William Contreras hit an insurance two-run homer immediately after his inning-ending flyout was negated by a pitch clock violation for host Milwaukee, which beat skidding New York. The Brewers rode the four-run seventh to their eighth win in as many games this month. Milwaukee has won 11 of its last 12 overall to improve its record to a baseball-best 72-44. Pete Alonso tied Darryl Strawberry atop the Mets franchise's all-time home run list by hitting the first of the team's three solo homers Saturday, but New York still lost its sixth straight game and for the 10th time in 11 games. Alonso's homer in the top of the second inning was his 26th of the season and the 252nd of his career. Royals 2, Twins 0 Maikel Garcia and Jonathan India drove in one run apiece, and that was more than enough for Kansas City as it held on for a shutout win over Minnesota in Minneapolis. Garcia's RBI double was the lone extra-base hit for Kansas City, which evened the series at one victory apiece with the rubber match set for Sunday afternoon. Kyle Isbel finished 2-for-4 and scored a run. Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (6-5) tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the victory. Ryan Jeffers went 3-for-4 to lead Minnesota, which totaled eight hits, all singles. Austin Martin tallied a pair of singles from the leadoff spot. Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (4-7) allowed one run on four hits in six innings. Dodgers 9, Blue Jays 1 Blake Snell struck out 10 over five shutout innings and Shohei Ohtani blasted his 40th home run of the season to boost Los Angeles to a win over visiting Toronto. Max Muncy also homered and singled, and Andy Pages contributed two hits and two RBIs for Los Angeles, which will try for a three-game sweep of the American League East leaders on Sunday. Snell (2-1) allowed three hits and walked three in his second game back following a four-month absence with an injury to his throwing shoulder. Ernie Clement spoiled the shutout with a solo homer in the eighth for the Blue Jays, who had won three in a row heading into the series. Toronto right-hander Chris Bassitt (11-6) allowed three runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings. Cubs 9, Cardinals 1 Michael Busch hit a three-run home run and scored twice to lead visiting Chicago past St. Louis. Busch went 2-for-5 with a double and the homer to power this victory. Matt Shaw (2-for-3, homer, two runs, two RBIs), Carson Kelly (3-for-4, RBI), Dansby Swanson (3-for-4, stolen base, two runs) and Kyle Tucker (1-for-4, walk, two runs, RBI) also had productive games. Chicago starter Colin Rea (9-5) limited St. Louis to one run on three hits in six innings. Cardinals starter Andre Pallante (6-9) allowed six runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. Phillies 3, Rangers 2 Max Kepler's two-run double in the seventh inning propelled Philadelphia to the front and backed the solid outing by Jesus Luzardo as the Phillies beat Texas and struggling ace Jacob deGrom in the second of a three-game interleague series in Arlington, Texas. The Phillies guaranteed their third straight series win and have captured five of their past six games. Texas, meanwhile, has dropped three in a row. Luzardo (11-5) was the beneficiary of the Phillies' seventh-inning rally after hurling six frames while allowing a run on seven hits with four strikeouts and a walk. He won his third straight start and is 4-0 over his past six appearances while allowing 14 runs over 35 2/3 innings over that stretch. deGrom (10-5) lost for the third outing in a row despite cruising through 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 5 Corbin Carroll homered for the third straight game, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drove in three runs and had a walk-off double in the ninth, and Arizona beat Colorado in Phoenix. Geraldo Perdomo doubled with one out in the ninth off Jimmy Herget (0-2) and scored on Gurriel's double, which gave rookie right-hander Andrew Hoffman (1-0) his first major league win in his sixth appearance. Carroll tied his career high with 25 homers and has four in the last seven games. Brenton Doyle had two hits including a homer and Ezequiel Tovar had two hits and an RBI for the Rockies, who have lost six in a row and have been outscored 66-17 in the stretch. Padres 5, Red Sox 4 (10 innings) Ramon Laureano's RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted host San Diego over Boston. Xander Bogaerts was placed on second to start the inning and Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock (5-2) issued an intentional walk to Ryan O'Hearn. Laureano chopped the first pitch over the head of third baseman Alex Bregman and Bogaerts easily beat Roman Anthony's throw home. The Padres' Jason Adam (7-3) stranded a pair of runners in the top of the 10th, inducing an inning-ending fielder's choice grounder from Ceddanne Rafaela to earn the win. Mariners 7, Rays 4 Julio Rodriguez hit two home runs and Cal Raleigh added his major league-leading 44th long ball of the season as host Seattle defeated Tampa Bay. Josh Naylor added a pair of doubles and rookie right-hander Logan Evans (6-4) gave up three runs on three hits over 5 1/3 innings as the Mariners won their sixth in a row and improved to 8-1 on their 10-game homestand that concludes Sunday. Andres Munoz worked the ninth for his 27th save. Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero homered for the Rays. Tampa Bay starter Joe Boyle (1-2) struggled with his command, giving up six runs on four hits in 3 1/3 innings. The right-hander walked five and fanned five.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Drake Baldwin, Braves aim for more offense against Marlins
August 8 - Atlanta catcher Drake Baldwin will try to continue building his case for National League Rookie of the Year on Friday when the Braves host the Miami Marlins in the second game of a five-game series. Baldwin had two homers and five RBIs on Thursday as the Braves erased a four-run deficit to beat the Marlins 8-6 and tie the season series at 3-3. "He reminds me of (former Atlanta catcher) Brian McCann a lot," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "Mac came up and was above his years in age behind the plate and as an offensive player, and Drake is right there with him." Baldwin, 24, is batting .287 with 13 homers and 46 RBIs. He is alternating games between designated hitter and catching, sharing backstop duties with veteran Sean Murphy. Snitker said about Baldwin's Rookie of the Year prospects, "He's right there in all the categories, and at the end of the year, if he keeps going like this, it wouldn't surprise me a bit." One of Baldwin's biggest challengers for the honor is in the opposing dugout this weekend. Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez, 23, is hitting .242 with 17 home runs and 52 RBIs. The pitching matchup for the Friday game features a pair of right-handers -- Atlanta's Bryce Elder (4-8, 6.03 ERA) and Miami's Edward Cabrera (5-5, 3.24). Cabrera has gone 5-4 with a 2.32 ERA over 15 starts since the beginning of May. He has 83 strikeouts and 23 walks in 81 1/3 innings while limiting the opposition to a .213 batting average during that span. In his most recent outing, Cabrera pitched six innings against the New York Yankees on Sunday and allowed only one run on two hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out seven. "We expect that now, and so does Cabby when he goes out there," Miami manager Clayton McCullough said. "He has so many weapons he trusts in." Cabrera is 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA in four career starts against Atlanta. He beat the Braves when he last faced them on Aug. 4, 2024, as he fired five scoreless innings and fanned eight in a 7-0 Miami win. Elder bounced back from a horrendous start on July 27, when he allowed eight runs in 2 2/3 innings at Texas, to throw 6 2/3 innings and permit just two runs at Cincinnati on Aug. 1. Elder was more effective at getting ahead in the count and pitched well against the Reds despite taking a loss. "I think I threw more strikes," Elder said. "Throwing more strikes, kind of make them make decisions and made them swing early. I kind of just accepted if I'm going to get beat, I'm going to get beat with this. I'm not going to back myself in a corner again and then get beat with one hit. They were going to have to string some together." In nine career starts against the Marlins, Elder is 2-3 with a 3.46 ERA. He took a loss against Miami on June 22 when he gave up five runs on a season-high 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings. Atlanta could be getting two of its star players back very soon. Left-hander Chris Sale threw a 30-pitch simulated game on Thursday and reported no issues. He is expected to make at least one rehab start before returning to the active list. Right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. took batting practice on Thursday and appeared to be recovering well from the strained right calf that forced him onto the injured list last week. --Field Level Media
CBS News
3 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Braves rally to beat Marlins 8-6
Drake Baldwin homered twice and drove in five runs, Marcell Ozuna also went deep and the Atlanta Braves rallied past the Miami Marlins 8-6 on Thursday night. Ozuna and Baldwin each had three hits for the Braves, who snapped a three-game skid after trailing 6-2 in the sixth inning. Miami has dropped three of four since winning five straight and nine of 11. Baldwin and Ozuna launched back-to-back solo homers with two outs in the first, the seventh time Atlanta has hit consecutive home runs this season and first since June 5. Miami answered quickly, scoring five runs in the second capped by Eric Wagaman's two-run triple and Graham Pauley's two-run homer. Jakob Marsee had an RBI single. Agustín Ramírez added an RBI single for the Marlins in the fourth. Atlanta's comeback began in the sixth with Baldwin's three-run shot to right-center off starter Eury Pérez. Pérez gave up three homers and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed five earned runs, his most since July 1, 2023. Baldwin tied it 6-all with a one-out RBI single off Josh Simpson (2-1) in the seventh. Ozuna then reached on an infield single, and Jurickson Profar scored on a throwing error by shortstop Otto Lopez to give Atlanta a 7-6 lead. Jonathan Ornelas scored on a wild pitch in the eighth, and Raisel Iglesias struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 15th save. Pierce Johnson (3-3) pitched a scoreless inning for the win. Baldwin's three-run drive in the sixth pulled Atlanta to 6-5 and gave the rookie catcher his first career multihomer game. The Braves improved to 50-21 against Miami at Truist Park, their best record versus any NL East opponent at home since the ballpark opened in 2017. Miami RHP Edward Cabrera (5-5, 3.24 ERA) faces RHP Bryce Elder (4-8, 6.03) on Friday in the second game of the five-game series. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Baldwin and Ozuna power Braves to 8-6 comeback win over Marlins
ATLANTA (AP) — Drake Baldwin homered twice and drove in five runs, Marcell Ozuna also went deep and the Atlanta Braves rallied past the Miami Marlins 8-6 on Thursday night. Ozuna and Baldwin each had three hits for the Braves, who snapped a three-game skid after trailing 6-2 in the sixth inning. Miami has dropped three of four since winning five straight and nine of 11. Baldwin and Ozuna launched back-to-back solo homers with two outs in the first, the seventh time Atlanta has hit consecutive home runs this season and first since June 5. Miami answered quickly, scoring five runs in the second capped by Eric Wagaman's two-run triple and Graham Pauley's two-run homer. Jakob Marsee had an RBI single. Agustín Ramírez added an RBI single for the Marlins in the fourth. Atlanta's comeback began in the sixth with Baldwin's three-run shot to right-center off starter Eury Pérez that gave the rookie catcher his first career multihomer game.
