Braves Rout Guardians Behind Chris Sale's Dominant Outing

Atlanta slugger Dominic Smith hits two-run homer in 13-1 victory

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:46am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game, with overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange representing the dynamic action on the field.The Braves' offensive explosion and Chris Sale's dominant pitching performance overwhelm the Guardians in a decisive victory.Atlanta Today

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Cleveland Guardians 13-1 on Sunday night, with starting pitcher Chris Sale earning his third win of the season. Braves outfielder Jorge Mateo had four hits, and first baseman Dominic Smith hit a two-run homer to lead the offensive onslaught.

Why it matters

The Braves' decisive victory over the Guardians showcases the team's offensive firepower and Chris Sale's continued strong pitching performance this season. This win helps the Braves maintain their position in the competitive National League East division race.

The details

Atlanta's offense exploded for 19 hits, including four from Jorge Mateo. Dominic Smith provided the big blow with a two-run homer. On the mound, Chris Sale pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run to earn the win.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The players

Jorge Mateo

An outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who had four hits in the game.

Dominic Smith

A first baseman for the Atlanta Braves who hit a two-run homer in the game.

Chris Sale

The starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves who earned the win, pitching seven strong innings.

Cleveland Guardians

The opposing team that was defeated by the Atlanta Braves.

Atlanta Braves

The home team that won the game 13-1 over the Cleveland Guardians.

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What they’re saying

“Our offense really came alive today, and Chris Sale set the tone with another great outing. It was a complete team effort.”

— Brian Snitker, Manager, Atlanta Braves

The takeaway

The Braves' dominant performance against the Guardians demonstrates the team's offensive depth and the continued excellence of pitcher Chris Sale, positioning the Braves as a formidable contender in the NL East.