The Atlanta Braves faced a devastating defeat on Thursday as they suffered an 11-10 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, marked by an explosive ninth-inning collapse. The loss pushed the Braves’ losing streak to four games and extended their record to 11 losses in 14 games, raising serious concerns about the team’s direction. Hall of Famer Tom Glavine, a former Braves pitcher, questioned the team’s trajectory after the collapse, suggesting this might represent a rock bottom for the franchise. The game took place on a day when many baseball analysts had the Braves in the top 5 of the 2025 preseason rankings, citing their strong roster of returning stars. However, the team’s performance has not matched expectations, and the current 2025 campaign has been a disappointment, with the Braves entering Thursday’s match on a three-game losing streak.
The Braves had built a commanding 6-0 lead in the early innings, but the Diamondbacks launched a stunning comeback with seven runs in the ninth inning. The victory secured a series sweep for Arizona and put the Braves in a precarious position. Relief pitcher Scott Blewett struggled with the game, allowing five runs, four of which came in the final inning. Braves closer Raisel Iglesias entered the game in the ninth with one out and gave up three earned runs, taking the loss. Kendall Graveman, the D-Backs’ reliever, earned the win for Arizona. The collapse raised questions about why the team’s offense, which includes key players like Max Fried, Michael Harris, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Ronald Acuna Jr., failed to carry the lead. Acuna, the 2023 MLB MVP, recently returned to the lineup after a knee injury and seemed to be back to his MVP form, hitting four home runs and batting .333 in 12 games. Despite this, the overall team performance has not met the high standards set by the roster.
Manager Brian Snitker, who has been with the Braves organization for nearly half a century and is credited with helping the team win the World Series in 2021, has faced scrutiny this season. His decision-making and strategies have been under the microscope, and his contract with the Braves expires at the end of the 2025 season. Snitker has not publicly disclosed whether he will retire after this season. The Braves will now travel cross country to open a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants, and the team’s fortunes will be closely watched as they attempt to turn things around. The game also highlighted ongoing discussions about potential changes in baseball, including the MLB commissioner’s proposal for an automated strike zone for the 2026 season, which could impact the game’s dynamics in the coming year.