A's Earn First Win of Season Behind Ibanez and Wilson

Offense sparks 5-2 victory over Braves

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:49am

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The Oakland Athletics earned their first win of the 2026 season, defeating the Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Tuesday. Andy Ibanez and Jacob Wilson both drove in two runs to lead the A's offense, while starting pitcher Aaron Civale worked five solid innings for the victory. The A's bullpen held the Braves scoreless over the final four innings to secure the win.

Why it matters

The A's had lost their first four games to start the season, so this victory helps them avoid a prolonged slump and get their season back on track. The Braves, meanwhile, are looking to build on their success from last year and this loss is an early setback.

The details

Ibanez went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Wilson was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Civale, the A's new offseason signing, earned his first win of the year by allowing two runs over five innings. The A's bullpen of Hogan Harris, Justin Sterner, Scott Barlow and Mark Leiter Jr. combined for four scoreless innings to close out the game.

  • The A's had lost their first four games to start the 2026 season.
  • This game took place on Tuesday, April 1, 2026.

The players

Andy Ibanez

A's infielder who drove in two runs and scored one in the victory.

Jacob Wilson

A's outfielder who had two hits, including a two-run double, to spark the offense.

Aaron Civale

A's starting pitcher who earned the win by allowing two runs over five innings in his first start of the season.

Mark Leiter Jr.

A's relief pitcher who recorded the save by pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

Drake Baldwin

Braves outfielder who hit a solo home run in the first inning.

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What they’re saying

“We needed this win to get our season going in the right direction. The guys came up with some big hits and our pitching staff did a great job of limiting the damage.”

— Mark Kotsay, A's Manager

What’s next

The A's will look to build on this win as they continue their series against the Braves on Wednesday. The Braves will aim to bounce back and even the series.

The takeaway

This victory provides a much-needed boost for the A's, who had struggled out of the gate. The performances of Ibanez, Wilson and Civale show the team has the talent to compete, and the bullpen's strong finish suggests they can protect leads. For the Braves, this early loss is a setback, but they have the talent to recover and remain in contention in the NL East.