Braves Defeat Struggling Athletics 5-1

Drake Baldwin and Chris Sale lead Atlanta to series-clinching win.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:14pm

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The Atlanta Braves defeated the struggling Oakland Athletics 5-1 in their final home game of the season-opening homestand. Braves outfielder Drake Baldwin drove in four runs with a pair of two-out hits, while starting pitcher Chris Sale pitched one-hit ball over six innings to lead the Braves to victory.

Why it matters

The win helps the Braves maintain their early-season momentum and stay competitive in the NL East division race, while the loss continues the Athletics' struggles as they try to rebuild and return to contention in the AL West.

The details

Baldwin's key hits, including a two-run single in the third inning and a two-run double in the seventh, provided the offensive firepower for the Braves. Meanwhile, Sale was dominant on the mound, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out seven over six strong innings.

  • The game was played on April 1, 2026.

The players

Drake Baldwin

An outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who drove in four runs in the win.

Chris Sale

The starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves who pitched one-hit ball over six innings.

Oakland Athletics

The visiting team that struggled against the Braves, continuing their early-season woes.

Atlanta Braves

The home team that won the game, maintaining their early-season momentum in the NL East.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out strong today and get this win. The guys really stepped up, especially Drake and Chris, to get the job done.”

— Brian Snitker, Braves Manager

What’s next

The Braves will look to continue their strong start as they hit the road for a three-game series against the division rival Mets starting on April 4th.

The takeaway

The Braves' win over the struggling Athletics showcases their offensive firepower and starting pitching depth, two key ingredients that could help them contend for the NL East title this season.