Austin Riley's two-run homer in the third inning lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday afternoon at CoolToday Park. After falling behind 1-0 early, the Braves answered with three runs in the third to secure their spring training win before 4,003 fans in North Port. While it's still February baseball, Riley's power stroke and the bullpen's dominant performance offered encouraging signs as Atlanta builds toward Opening Day.
Riley's Power Stroke Sparks Third-Inning Rally
The Braves found themselves trailing after Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz crossed home plate in the first inning, but Riley made sure that deficit didn't last long. In the bottom of the third, with Pittsburgh starter Paul Skenes laboring through his 53-pitch outing, the Braves capitalized on their opportunity.
Drake Baldwin got things started with a triple, showing the kind of aggressive baserunning that could earn him looks behind the plate this season. Jurickson Profar followed with an RBI double to tie the game at 1-1, then Riley stepped up and crushed his first spring training home run—a two-run shot that gave Atlanta the lead for good.
"Riley's swing looked locked in from pitch one," you could tell this was a guy ready to pick up where he left off last season. Going 1-for-2 with those two RBIs, he made his limited at-bats count in a big way.
Pitching Staff Delivers Quality Depth
While Bryce Elder got the start and allowed one earned run over two innings of work—surrendering the early lead but settling in with three strikeouts—it was the bullpen parade that really impressed. Tyler Kinley earned the win with a clean inning of work, and from there, the Braves' relievers were nearly flawless.
Dylan Lee, Dylan Dodd, Tyler LaPorte, Hayden Harris, James Karinchak, and Javy Guerra combined to hold Pittsburgh scoreless over the final six innings. Guerra picked up the save, striking out one in a perfect ninth. The depth on display is exactly what you want to see in spring training—guys fighting for roster spots and proving they belong.
For Pittsburgh, Skenes showed why he's their prized prospect with four strikeouts in 2.1 innings, but his four walks proved costly. Jarod Bayless took the loss after allowing Riley's homer in relief.
What This Win Means Moving Forward
Spring training games are about evaluation and preparation, not wins and losses, but there's still value in seeing how players respond to game situations. Riley's immediate impact shows he's ready to anchor the middle of this lineup again, while the parade of relievers each threw strikes and attacked the zone.
The Pirates managed six hits to Atlanta's five, with Cruz going 2-for-2 and reaching base three times, but they couldn't capitalize when it mattered most. Ryan O'Hearn drove in their only run.
Baldwin's triple stood out as the catalyst for the Braves' rally—the kind of aggressive play that turns singles into doubles and doubles into triples. With the catching position still fluid, every at-bat matters for the former prospect.
Looking Ahead
This win moves the Braves forward in their spring preparation, with more opportunities for players to stake their claims for regular season roles. The bullpen depth showcased today will be crucial during the long haul of 162 games, and seeing seven different relievers contribute clean innings is exactly the kind of competition manager Brian Snitker wants to see.
Riley's power stroke and the pitching staff's collective dominance after the third inning paint an optimistic picture as camp continues. While it's still early in spring training, performances like these help build the foundation for what the Braves hope will be another successful season.