Braves Hold Off Royals for Nail-Biting Road Win

By Oliver Wiener July 29, 2025 10:38

The Atlanta Braves edged out the Kansas City Royals 10-7 on the road at Kauffman Stadium on July 28, 2025, in a thrilling, nail-biting victory that snapped the Braves’ five-game losing streak. Powered by three homers, timely hitting, and resilient pitching, the Braves held off a feisty Royals squad that nearly rallied late. The tough road win highlights Atlanta’s determination as they push to regain postseason positioning in a competitive National League.

Ronald Acuña Jr., Marcell Ozuna, and Austin Riley were the offensive stars for the Braves, each connecting for homers that gave Atlanta crucial momentum. Acuña’s two-run homer in the third, his 14th of the season, ignited the Braves after they fell behind early. Ozuna followed with another two-run shot in the fourth inning also his 14th home run to extend the lead. Riley’s solo homer in the seventh brought the Braves further ahead, and his impactful three-run double in the eighth fueled a 9-3 cushion at one point, cementing Atlanta’s advantage.

Braves manager Brian Snitker praised his team’s ability to respond despite recent struggles. “We needed a win, and it felt good to see those big hits and see the guys battle through. Everyone contributed, and that’s how you grind out road victories,” Snitker said postgame.

On the mound, Spencer Strider gave the Braves a solid start, going five innings while giving up just two runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Strider’s performance was key in holding the Royals' offense at bay early and setting up the bullpen to close out the win. The relief corps was tested, especially in the ninth inning, as the Royals staged a late rally. However, closer Raisel Iglesias stepped in to slam the door, earning his 12th save by securing the final outs despite allowing a sacrifice fly.

The Royals, who issued a club-record 14 walks tying a mark last set in 2006 stayed aggressive despite the frustrations on the basepaths. Their patience nearly paid off late, as they scored two runs with no outs in the ninth to make it a tense finish. Veteran Rich Hill, making his second start of the season, struggled with control, giving up four runs over four innings while issuing six walks. Royals manager Matt Quatraro acknowledged the frustrations from those free passes but remained optimistic about his team’s fight. “We battled all night, but those walks really put us in tough spots. Still, the guys refused to quit,” Quatraro said.

Kansas City saw strong offensive contributions from Randal Grichuk, who hit his eighth home run his first as a Royal after being acquired recently and Bobby Witt Jr., who notched two doubles and leads the majors with 36 in the season. Maikel Garcia also had a productive night, collecting three hits including two doubles. Unfortunately, Royals catcher Salvador Perez was hit on the left elbow by a pitch and later left the game with a bruise, which affected Kansas City’s lineup depth.

Statistically, the Braves out-hit Kansas City 9 to 8, with six of those hits going for extra bases. The team’s ability to capitalize on Royals’ mistakes, including those 14 walks, proved decisive. Atlanta’s balanced attack and pitching allowed them to overcome a formidable challenge in hostile territory.

Atlanta’s 10-7 grind-it-out victory over Kansas City was a mix of power hitting, pitching grit, and opportunistic offense. Key home runs from Acuña, Ozuna, and Riley combined with clutch relief pitching from Iglesias to stymie a late Royals rally. Snitker summed up the win best, “This game showed our character. We battled hard, came through in key moments, and got the W on the road that’s what this team is about.”