Chris Sale looked every bit the ace the Braves need him to be, tossing six dominant innings while Drake Baldwin provided the offensive fireworks in Atlanta's 5-1 spring training victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. Sale scattered just one hit and struck out three without issuing a walk, while Baldwin drove in four runs on two hits to power the Braves' convincing win as they continue fine-tuning for Opening Day.
Sale Sets the Tone Early
The veteran left-hander was in complete control from the first pitch, working efficiently through six innings while allowing just one earned run. Sale's command was sharp throughout his outing, and the strikeout numbers don't tell the full story of his dominance. He consistently worked ahead in counts and kept Oakland hitters off balance with his mix of pitches.
"This is exactly what we want to see from Chris at this point in spring," said one observer. Sale's performance was a stark contrast to Athletics starter Luis Severino, who struggled mightily with his control and paid the price.
Baldwin Breaks Game Open
While Sale was dealing on the mound, Baldwin was doing damage at the plate. The young backstop went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, providing the bulk of Atlanta's offensive output. His clutch hitting proved to be the difference-maker in what could have been a much tighter contest.
Dominic Smith also contributed with a solid 2-for-4 performance, continuing to make his case for a regular role in the Braves' lineup. Smith's consistent contact and professional at-bats have been a theme throughout spring training.
Severino Struggles Against Former Division
Oakland's Luis Severino had a rough go of it against the Braves, lasting just 3.1 innings while allowing four earned runs on four hits. The real killer was his control – Severino walked five batters, constantly putting himself behind in counts and in trouble on the basepaths.
Those five walks led to multiple scoring opportunities for Atlanta, and the Braves capitalized. Severino struck out seven, showing his stuff can still miss bats, but the inability to throw strikes consistently doomed his outing.
Elvis Alvarado didn't fare much better in relief, surrendering another run in just two-thirds of an inning before Oakland finally found some stability with Hogan Harris and Luis Medina combining for four scoreless innings.
Bullpen Does Its Job
After Sale's strong start, the Braves' relief corps picked up right where he left off. Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee, and Raisel Iglesias each tossed a scoreless inning, combining to allow just three hits while striking out three.
The bullpen's performance was particularly encouraging given the emphasis on depth and reliability in the late innings. Each reliever attacked the zone and worked efficiently, exactly what you want to see in spring preparation.
Bright Spot for Oakland
The Athletics' lone highlight came via Shea Langeliers, who went 2-for-4 with a solo home run. Langeliers' power stroke accounted for Oakland's only run and half of their hits on the afternoon. The young catcher continues to show the pop that makes him an intriguing piece for the rebuilding A's.
Looking Ahead
This type of complete performance – dominant starting pitching, timely hitting, and solid relief work – is exactly what the Braves want to see as they prepare for the regular season. Sale's command and stuff looked midseason sharp, while Baldwin's offensive contributions provide depth options behind the plate.
For Oakland, the control issues from Severino are concerning but correctable. Spring training is about working through these problems, and there's still time to iron out the command concerns before games start counting.
Both teams continue their spring schedules as Opening Day approaches, with performances like these serving as valuable tune-ups for the challenges ahead.
