05/14/26 08:41:00
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05/14 08:05 CDT Braves reach 30 wins with another thrilling win that shows off
myriad weapons
Braves reach 30 wins with another thrilling win that shows off myriad weapons
By PAUL NEWBERRY
Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) --- The Atlanta Braves keep finding new ways to win.
It's all added up to being the first team in the big leagues to 30 victories.
The Braves improved MLB's top record to 30-13 with another thrilling triumph
Wednesday night, scoring three runs in the eighth inning to beat the Chicago
Cubs 4-1.
Mike Yastrzemski came off the bench to contribute a pinch-hit double that drove
in the tie-breaking run, and jack-of-all-trades Mauricio Dubn followed with a
two-run homer into the Chicago bullpen that finished off the Cubs.
Throw in another stout performance by the Atlanta bullpen, which got one
scoreless inning apiece from four relievers, and this team is threatening to
run away with the NL East before the calendar turns to summer.
The Braves are up by nine games on second-place Washington and have a
double-figure margin over everyone else in the division.
"There's no egos here," said Yastrzemski, who contributed his first homer of
the season the previous night in a 5-2 victory over the Cubs. "Nobody feels
like they own any piece of this team. We're all pulling on the same rope
together, the same direction. Whatever opportunities come for you that day,
that's good enough."
While stars such as Matt Olson, Drake Baldwin, Chris Sale and Ozzie Albies are
having big years, some lesser-known players are also having a significant
impact.
That includes Dubn, who was acquired from Houston over the winter for
journeyman Nick Allen and has filled in wherever needed.
Dubn started the season at shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim recovered from an
injury but now is largely playing the outfield, even taking the leadoff role in
the lineup while former NL MVP Ronald Acua Jr. is on the injured list.
The clinching homer showed how much faith the Braves and their first-year
manager, Walt Weiss, have in their utility ace.
"In years past for me, I would've gotten pinch-hit right there and they
wouldn't let me hit," Dubn said. "But I ended up putting up a two-run homer. I
think it's that confidence he gives you when you're playing."
Dubn is still motivated by being picked in the 26th round --- the 773rd choice
overall --- of the 2013 draft.
"I'm trying to prove people wrong," he said, breaking into a satisfied smile.
"I've been doing that for a while now."
Weiss, who took over when long-time manager Brian Snitker retired after a
disappointing 2025 campaign, has the Braves solidly on track for a return to
the postseason.
He's not looking at the big picture by any stretch, but he can't help but be
satisfied at the way his managerial tenure has started.
"I'm so engrossed with the day to day," Weiss said. "You want to attack each
day the best you can, and these guys are doing that. They confront every
challenge that comes our way."
Yastrzemski, like everyone else on the roster, is eager to step up whenever
he's called upon.
"Some days your role is going to be a cheerleader. Keep everyone in a good
mood, pull for the guys, bring somebody a water when they're thirsty," he said.
"Those things, it's real. When you see that happening with other guys, you
can't help but do it yourself."
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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