Braves Defeat Athletics 5-1 Behind Baldwin and Sale

Atlanta wraps up homestand with strong pitching and timely hitting.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:58am

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The Atlanta Braves defeated the struggling West Sacramento Athletics 5-1 in their final home game of the season-opening homestand. Braves outfielder Drake Baldwin drove in four runs with two key hits, while pitcher Chris Sale threw six innings of one-hit ball to lead the Braves to victory.

Why it matters

The win gives the Braves a strong start to the season as they look to build momentum and challenge for the division title. For the Athletics, the loss continues their early-season struggles as they try to turn things around and compete in the AL West.

The details

Baldwin's two-out hits in the 3rd and 7th innings provided the bulk of the Braves' offense, driving in a total of four runs. Sale was dominant on the mound, allowing just one hit over six innings while striking out seven Athletics batters.

  • The game took place on April 2, 2026 in Atlanta.

The players

Drake Baldwin

An outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who drove in four runs with two key hits in the game.

Chris Sale

The starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, who threw six innings of one-hit ball to lead his team to victory.

West Sacramento Athletics

The visiting team, who struggled offensively and fell to 0-3 on the young season with the loss.

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What they’re saying

“Drake really came up big for us today with those timely hits. And Chris was outstanding on the mound - he set the tone early and gave us a chance to win.”

— Brian Snitker, Braves Manager

What’s next

The Braves will look to continue their strong start when they hit the road to face the division rival Miami Marlins in a three-game series starting on April 5th.

The takeaway

The Braves' balanced performance, with strong pitching and timely hitting, allowed them to wrap up their homestand on a high note and sets them up well for their upcoming road trip. For the struggling Athletics, the loss highlights the work they have ahead to turn their season around.