MLB Final Intelligence
Atlanta Braves vs Washington Nationals โ Recap
April 23, 2026 ยท Nationals Park ยท View Preview
Game Recap
Atlanta broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning with a four-run outburst, paving the way for a 7-2 victory over the Washington Nationals. Ozzie Albies provided the offensive fireworks, driving in four runs on a day where the Braves pulled away late.
The Nationals initially took the lead when Wood homered in the bottom of the first inning. Atlanta responded in the top of the fourth, tying the game on an Albies sacrifice fly that scored Olson, and then pulling ahead on an RBI single from Harris II. However, Washington quickly countered, as Abrams launched a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to knot the score once more at 2-2.
The decisive moment arrived in the seventh inning. With runners on base, a wild pitch by Varland allowed Baldwin to score, breaking the deadlock and putting Atlanta up 3-2. Albies then delivered a crucial two-run single to right, extending the lead as Olson and Riley crossed the plate. Harris II continued the rally with an RBI double to center, bringing home Albies and completing the four-run frame that solidified Atlanta's control of the game. On the mound, JR Ritchie kept the Nationals offense in check, completing seven innings and allowing only two earned runs, striking out seven.
The Braves' ability to capitalize on their opportunities in the middle innings, particularly with Albies' stellar offensive output and Ritchie's strong start, ultimately sealed their road victory. Atlanta now stands at 75-52, while Washington falls to 60-68.
Player of the Game
Turning Point
The game turned in the 7th inning, when the Atlanta Braves scored 4 runs.
Pitching
| Pitcher | Team | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JR Ritchie W |
|
7.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 2.57 |
| Cade Cavalli |
|
5.0 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 4.01 |
| Julian Fernandez |
|
2.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2.25 |
| Carlos Carrasco |
|
1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
| Dylan Lee |
|
1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.75 |
| Richard Lovelady |
|
1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3.18 |
| Gus Varland |
|
0.2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3.86 |
| Cionel Perez L |
|
0.1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8.25 |
Batting
| Batter | Team | AB | H | HR | RBI | R | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozzie Albies |
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Michael Harris II |
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matt Olson |
|
5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Dominic Smith |
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Daylen Lile |
|
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| CJ Abrams |
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| James Wood |
|
4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Austin Riley |
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Drake Baldwin |
|
4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Ronald Acuna Jr. |
|
5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jorbit Vivas |
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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