The Atlanta Braves opened their first road series of 2026 in a big way, crushing the Arizona Diamondbacks, 17-2.
Already up 2-1, the Braves blew the game open with eight runs in the fifth inning.
The win moved Atlanta to 5-2 on the season, while the Diamondbacks fell to 3-1.
This is one Arizona will want to forget quickly. For the Braves, though, it’s one for the history books.
Braves Offense Delivers Rare Historic Feat in Blowout Win
Scoring 17 runs against any MLB opponent is impressive, but how the Braves did it made it even more notable. Atlanta’s win accomplished something not seen in nearly 47 years.
“The @Braves are the first MLB team to have 11 different players with a hit and an RBI in a game since the Expos did it against the Astros on June 17, 1979,” according to OptaSTATS.
Matt Olson opened the scoring in the first inning with a 430-foot home run. Dominik Smith followed with one of his own in the third to make it 2-0.
Then came the fifth inning.
Seven different Braves crossed the plate as the game completely unraveled for Arizona.
A Ronald Acuña Jr. bases-loaded walk scored Ozzie Albies. Smith followed by reaching on a fielder’s choice that brought in another run. Mauricio Dubon then scored on an Olson double to push the lead further.
Austin Riley added a double that knocked in Drake Baldwin and Olson. Albies followed with a single that scored Riley. Michael Harris II capped the inning with a double that brought in Albies and Mike Yastrzemski, stretching the lead to 12-1.
Dubon added a home run in the sixth. Baldwin later scored on a Yastrzemski groundout.
Even with Arizona turning to position players on the mound late, the Braves kept piling it on in the ninth.
Pinch-hitter Jorge Mateo launched a 353-foot home run to left. Olson added another double that scored Dubon. Baldwin crossed home again on a Kyle Farmer sacrifice fly, and Yastrzemski finished the scoring with a double that plated Olson.
Braves Continue Offensive Surge Despite Early Concerns
Only three Braves didn’t score — Acuña, Eli White and Farmer.
Acuña went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. White and Farmer each had one at-bat pinch-hitting.
Olson led the way with three hits and three RBIs, including a home run and two doubles.
Needless to say, it was a night to remember for Atlanta, which continues to lean on its offense early in the season.
The Braves currently rank 15th in runs, 10th in hits, 14th in home runs and 8th in batting average.
The concern entering the season was the lack of starting pitching due to multiple injuries to the top of the rotation. Even so, Atlanta is allowing just 1.1 runs per game, with no opponent scoring more than two runs through seven games.
The Braves will continue their series in Arizona on Friday, April 3, in an Apple TV-exclusive matchup.
The pitching matchup could be an interesting one, with Bryce Elder set to take the mound for Atlanta against former Braves prospect Michael Soroka.
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