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Can the Braves' Fourth-Inning Rally Outshine the Nationals' Late Game Surge?

In a closely contested preseason game at CoolToday Park, the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals showcased their early form ahead of the 2025 Major League Baseball season. The Braves, looking to improve on their 8-9 record, faced off against a Nationals team with an identical win-loss tally. Despite a spirited effort from both sides, it was the Nationals who edged out with a final score of 5-3.


Mar 14, 2025; North Port, Florida, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jackson Rutledge (79) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Braves' Key Performances


The game's pivotal moment came in the fourth inning when the Braves capitalized on their opportunities to score all three of their runs. This surge was highlighted by significant contributions from key players. Marcell Ozuna stood out with an impressive batting average of .333 and an OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) of 1.666, including hitting one out of the park in his three at-bats which contributed significantly to the rally. Another notable performance came from Michael Harris II, who also boasted a .333 batting average and added extra bases with his slugging percentage standing at .667.


On the pitching side, Spencer Schwellenbach's efforts as a starter were commendable despite not securing a win; he posted an ERA (Earned Run Average) of 3.857 over 4.2 innings pitched while striking out batters at an impressive rate of 13.5 per nine innings.


Mar 14, 2025; North Port, Florida, USA;  Washington Nationals first baseman Juan Yepez (18) hits a RBI single in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Nationals' Counterattack


The Washington Nationals responded strongly in later innings, particularly during an eighth-inning comeback where they scored three runs to take control of the game once again. Their resilience was evident as they managed to overcome their own errors and capitalize on those made by Atlanta's defense.


Looking Ahead


The Atlanta Braves will look to bounce back in their next preseason outing against Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, FL scheduled for March 15th at 1:05 PM EDT. Fans can catch all the action live on NESN as both teams continue preparations for what promises to be another exciting MLB season.


Mar 14, 2025; North Port, Florida, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) throws to first base in the second  inning against the Atlanta Braves  during spring training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

As we reflect on this encounter between two evenly matched teams, it becomes clear that while preseason games might not count towards regular-season standings, they provide valuable insights into team dynamics and individual performances that could shape forthcoming campaigns.


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