Disaster Braves are on remarkably painful streak of losing close games

The Atlanta Braves are inventing new ways to lose every day.

Going back to Wednesday night, Chris Sale tossed a gem, going six innings and allowing just one run with ten strikeouts. However, the Braves offense managed to waste it entirely, mustering just one run on the evening and leaving the bases loaded in both the eighth and ninth innings in a 2-1 loss.

Then came Thursday afternoon, a loss that might rank among the worst in franchise history given the context. Desperate to avoid a sweep at home against the Diamondbacks, the bats finally showed signs of life. Drake Baldwin, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Austin Riley all homered, and the Braves built a six-run lead heading into the ninth. But Scott Blewett and Raisel Iglesias combined to give up seven runs in the final frame. Another gut-wrenching one-run loss.

Last night was more of the same, with the Braves losing in almost comically painful fashion. A mix of porous defense and some luck led to three first-inning runs for the Giants. However, Spencer Schwellenbach would settle in, and a Matt Olson two-run homer in the seventh would tie the game, where it would stay until extra innings.

What happened in the 10th? You truly can’t make it up. Ozzie Albies led off the frame with a fly-ball that moved the runner on second to third. Eli White could not get him in on a groundout to third, and the Giants opted to intentionally walk Sean Murphy with two outs to get to Michael Harris II, who was hit by a pitch. That loaded the bases for Luke Williams… and with a full count, he swung at a pitch four inches off the plate, resulting in a groundout to end the inning.

Predictably, not scoring in the top half of extras usually spells doom. And yet, Pierce Johnson retired the first two batters in the bottom of the 10th. All that stood between the Braves and the 11th was Wilmer Flores. Johnson got ahead 1-2… then spiked a curveball that skipped past Sean Murphy, scoring the winning run. Another one-run loss. Another implosion.

It’s not just a bad stretch — this is historic heartbreak. The Braves have lost eight straight one-run games dating back to May 14th. That’s nearly impossible. And while logic suggests the luck has to change, the standings tell a grim story: 12 games back in the NL East, eight games out of the final Wild Card spot, with a crowded field ahead.

Selling at the trade deadline? That no longer feels outrageous. It might just be the reality facing a team that has completely lost its way.