Braves throw pitching plan out the window, slug 4 HRs again

WASHINGTON -- Watching Didier Fuentes throw 39 first-inning pitches 24 hours after Reynaldo López had lasted just one inning can create some stress. But Braves manager Walt Weiss’ nerves were calmed as his team constructed its latest four-homer game.

Michael Harris II tallied two of those home runs, and Matt Olson drilled the decisive one as the Braves escaped a wacky game with an 8-6 win over the Nationals on Wednesday night at Nationals Park. Atlanta’s three four-homer games through 25 games matches its total from the 2025 season.

“It was a Rubik’s Cube tonight, thinking about how we were going to get through that,” Weiss said. “That’s a really good win, especially after getting down early.”

As the Braves attempt to complete this seven-game road trip with a sixth win, they’ll send JR Ritchie, the team’s No. 2 prospect, to the mound to make his MLB debut on Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park. Ritchie wouldn’t have been needed had Fuentes, the team’s No. 3 prospect, fared better in his first start of the season.

Of course, Fuentes might not have started Wednesday had López done his job on Tuesday night. But these pitching woes were covered by an offense that leads the Majors with 143 runs and ranks second with 36 homers.

Harris’ seventh two-homer game of his career was certainly the highlight of an unusual day. The Braves center fielder started slow, but his expected statistics indicated his current surge was coming. He has hit .412 (14-for-34) with five homers and a 1.341 OPS over his past 10 games.

“I’m going to try to keep doing it over the whole season,” Harris said. “We’re winning now. So it’s a good feeling.”

Martín Pérez had reason to feel good after this one. The veteran left-hander’s scheduled start was pushed back from Wednesday to Thursday because López’s ugly start on Tuesday had left Atlanta with just three relievers Weiss could comfortably use on Wednesday.

But instead of calling up Fuentes to provide bullpen relief, the Braves opted to have him start Wednesday. By pushing Pérez and other starters back, Atlanta was able to set Chris Sale up to make each of his next few starts with extra rest.

This seemed like a good idea until Fuentes surrendered five hits, including Daylen Lile’s three-run homer, in the first inning. The 20-year-old right-hander kept the Nationals scoreless over the next two innings, but he was removed after throwing 74 pitches over just three innings.

Pérez then prevented the situation from becoming disastrous by providing the three innings needed to bridge the game to Atlanta’s three available relievers: closer Robert Suarez and his top two setup men, Dylan Lee and Tyler Kinley. This trio kept Washington off the board and preserved the Braves’ latest offensive eruption.

“I have no ego,” Pérez said. “I'm just here for the team. If there’s something out there where I can do my job to help the team win, I’m going to do it.”

Weiss had high praise for Pérez, who was designated for assignment on April 12 but came back five days later to throw six scoreless innings in Friday’s win over the Phillies. His willingness to be ready to pitch out of the bullpen on short notice just adds to the value he’s provided while posting a 2.70 ERA over 23 1/3 innings (five appearances) for Atlanta this year.

“What a pro,” Weiss said. “He's willing to do whatever we ask him to do. I'm really glad Martín Pérez is with us. He's such a valuable piece.”

Drake Baldwin got things started with a first-inning solo shot. Baldwin’s seventh homer of the season put him in elite company. He stands with Chipper Jones (1998), Rico Carty (1970), Hank Aaron (1970) and Eddie Mathews (1959) as the only Braves to collect 30-plus hits, 25-plus runs and 20-plus RBIs in the first 25 games of the season.

Nationals fans likely weren’t surprised to see Olson deliver a big blow with his three-run homer off Nationals starter Zack Littell in the fourth. Olson has hit 14 homers in 32 career games at Nationals Park.

“We did a nice job scoring runs and overcoming a tough first inning,” Weiss said.