Braves Blank in Rubber Match as Dodgers Take the Series

Braves right-hander Bryce Elder took the mound for his 13th start of the year on Thursday night at Truist Park, facing off against the Los Angeles Angels in a decisive game of a three-game series. Unfortunately for Atlanta, they succumbed 5-0, marking Elder's sixth defeat this season, bringing his record to 2-6. “I put the guys in a hole, and that’s on me,” he remarked post-game, acknowledging his struggle with consistency this year. The Braves had previously triumphed over the Angels 8-3 on Wednesday, showcasing impressive hitting thanks to homers from Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, and Jurickson Profar. In stark contrast, Thursday’s game began poorly for Atlanta, with the Angels scoring early. Joe Adell's RBI single in the first and Nolan Schanuel's home run in the second put the Braves at a disadvantage. The Angels extended their lead in the sixth with Mike Trout's RBI triple. Profar’s ninth-inning solo homer provided a glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t enough. The Braves now prepare to host the Baltimore Orioles for a weekend series starting Friday.