Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker (above) didn’t hint to the media about his future plans after today’s game.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

The Atlanta Braves’ win streak ended Wednesday afternoon following a 4-3 loss to the Washington Nationals. The Braves chipped away at the Nationals’ lead throughout the game, but came up short.

First pitch was at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

The Braves, now 75-84, were looking to win their 11th straight game. Tough-luck starter, Bryce Elder (8-10 with a 5.36 ERA), was on the mound for his 28th and final start of the season. Elder had been pitching well over his past seven starts, striking out 37 batters while going an impressive 3-1.

He didn’t pitch too badly on Wednesday, but not well enough to get the win.

Elder, as is his penchant this season, gave up an earned run in the first inning of the game. Three of the first four Nationals to take the plate had hits, including an RBI single from left fielder Daylen Lile. Elder would give up another run in the fourth inning following a solo home run by Josh Bell.

Washington’s starter, Andrew Alvarez, was doing the opposite of Elder and cruising through three innings. Following a walk to Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna, Jr. to start the fourth inning, Alvarez got Drake Baldwin to ground out, Ha-Seong Kim to fly out, and Marcell Ozuna to strike out. Through four innings, Alvarez had only given up a single and struck out five Braves. Wednesday’s game was the Anaheim, California native’s sixth career start.

Braves starter Bryce Elder after the game on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

The Braves played some of their best baseball at the end of this season, leaving the fan base with something to look forward to in 2026. Whether manager Brian Snitker is manning the ship is another question.

The Braves will have three more home games to close the regular season. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

One of the players who will be key to a successful 2026 season is center fielder Michael Harris II. Harris II, one of the best defensive center fielders in the Majors, had two home runs during the win on Tuesday night and began the fifth inning of this game with a single. Harris II stole third base during the inning, giving him 20 steals for the season. Another home run would lock up a 20-20 season.

Down 2-0 in the fifth inning, Atlanta had the bases loaded with one out before Matt Olson popped up to second base and Acuna, Jr. grounded out to short, ending the inning.

Elder gave up another solo home run to start the sixth inning, this time to James Wood. Elder pitched seven innings and struck out seven Nationals.

Woods hit another solo home run, his 29th of the season, off reliever Tyler Kinley in the seventh inning to put his team ahead 4-1. Ozuna got a run back for the Braves with a solo home run in the eighth inning.

In the ninth inning, Eli White came off the bench to hit another solo home run off Washington reliever Jose A. Ferrer to bring Atlanta within a run at 4-3.

Atlanta will end the regular season with a three-game weekend series with the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park.

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