Eddie Rosario’s late home run brings Braves back into overtime

“I feel blessed,” Rosario said. “I want to thank Braves Country. I love it. I always love when they say my name. It’s awesome.”

2. Rosario hit .183 with a .555 OPS in 67 games with Washington, leading to his release. The Braves were struggling with an undermanned outfield and decided to bring him back where he played from July 2021 through the 2023 season. He hit .179 (5-for-28) in eight games, though he already had some breakout moments.

“It’s a good thing, we’re looking for offense,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s got a baseball card. I thought bringing him back here was an easy choice, especially to add another left-handed hitter when we’re a little short. You never know. A guy gets released and a little bit of urgency comes up. We might have the best version of him.”

Rosario’s home run was his first at Truist Park since Sept. 8, 2023. Regardless of what happens in his final stint with the club, Rosario will always be remembered as the 2021 National League Championship Series MVP during the team’s run to the World Series.

3. The Braves won in the 10th inning after Zack Short made a sacrifice bunt that allowed ghost runner Adam Duvall to reach third base, then second baseman Ozzie Albies made the winning sacrifice. Outfielder Jarred Kelenic had already made a sacrifice bunt in the eighth inning, meaning the club matched its 2023 total in one game (and has four sacrifice bunts in 2024).

It’s simple: The team is more likely to use small ball because of its personnel. It’s just not one of the most crushing teams in recent seasons. This team needs to make points through means other than slugging.

“This is a different team than it was the last couple of years,” Snitker said. “A guy like (Orlando) Arcia was really good last year. He’s not this year. Those guys that hit the bunt today have to be in their arsenal. They wanted to do it. Having that willingness to do it is the biggest obstacle to getting there.”

4. Starting pitcher Charlie Morton allowed just one run in six innings and could have easily pitched six scoreless innings if not for Adam Duvall’s error in right field that turned Masyn Winn’s double into a run-scoring triple. Morton had struggled in his last two starts before the All-Star break — and he’s had an up-and-down campaign in his age-40 season — but he did a good job Saturday, getting his season ERA under 4.00 (3.92).

Morton was pleased with how he positioned his fastball and threw his breaking ball for strikes. He also benefited from phenomenal defense behind him, particularly from third baseman Austin Riley and first baseman Matt Olson, who made several great defensive plays throughout the afternoon.

Olson made perhaps the most important defensive play: In the top of the 10th inning, he caught a fly ball hit by Alec Burleson and walked first base for an unassisted double play that gave the Braves the win.

5. The Braves have an “easier” schedule on paper in the second half of the season. Their second-half opponents had a winning percentage of .492 before the All-Star break, meaning the Braves have the seventh-easiest schedule for the remainder of the season (third-easiest in the National League behind the Giants at .479 and the Padres at .487).

Statistics to know

7-3 (The Braves have won seven of 10 games in extra innings this season.)

Quotable

“He definitely doesn’t have a pulse.” – Snitker on Rosario’s game right now

Following

The Braves and Cardinals will face off again Saturday night, with Bryce Elder (1-3, 5.71) facing Sonny Gray (9-6, 3.34).