Braves’ Matt Olson Unleashes Frustration as Atlanta’s Potent Offense Fizzles in Bryce Elder’s Shining Moment vs. Slumping Pirates
The Atlanta Braves’ bats went quiet when it mattered most — and Matt Olson wasn’t hiding his frustration.
In a night that should’ve celebrated Bryce Elder’s best outing of the season, the Braves fell flat at the plate in a 3-1 loss to the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates, a team they were expected to dominate. Olson, one of the Braves’ biggest power threats, was visibly fired up in the dugout after a late-game strikeout, slamming his helmet and shouting in frustration as another golden scoring opportunity slipped away.
Elder was dealing — tossing six innings of one-run ball and showing command and confidence that’s been missing from his early-season outings. His performance gave the Braves every chance to win, but Atlanta’s offense — known for its firepower and depth — failed to deliver.
Just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, the Braves left too many chances on the table. Ronald Acuña Jr. went hitless, Olson struck out twice, and even the ever-reliable Ozzie Albies couldn’t spark a rally. Atlanta’s only run came on a solo homer from Marcell Ozuna, but the team failed to string together any sustained pressure on the Pirates’ bullpen.
After the game, Olson didn’t mince words: “It’s frustrating. Bryce pitched his tail off and gave us a shot. We’ve got to be better — period.”
With the Braves in the thick of the NL East race, losses like these sting more than usual. And for Olson, a vocal leader and former RBI king, his emotion underscored just how high expectations are in the Atlanta clubhouse — and how urgent the need is to turn things around offensively.
Can the Braves’ lineup regain its bite before the division race heats up even more?