Blake Snell Struggles in Return as Braves Jump on Dodgers Early at Chavez Ravine

Blake Snell returned to the mound at Chavez Ravine on a scheduled bobblehead night honoring him, as the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Atlanta Braves in what was expected to be a celebratory comeback appearance. The left-hander had been sidelined due to shoulder inflammation and was making his first appearance back from injury.

Instead of a triumphant return, Snell endured a difficult outing as Atlanta quickly seized control of the game. The Braves jumped out to an early advantage and never allowed the Dodgers’ starter to settle into rhythm.

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts ultimately pulled Snell after just three innings, with the Braves already holding a commanding lead. Snell finished his outing having thrown 77 pitches in an abbreviated and uneven performance.

What was meant to be a feel-good return for the veteran pitcher instead turned into a night defined by early pressure and missed execution against a disciplined Atlanta lineup.

1. Braves Strike Early and Build Momentum

The Braves wasted little time attacking Snell, beginning with leadoff hitter Mauricio Dubón, who worked into an 0-2 count before fighting off a pitch and lining a single into center field off a 97 mph fastball. Atlanta immediately continued to apply pressure in the opening frame, drawing a walk and adding an infield single to load the bases. The early traffic forced Snell into a high-stress situation within the first few batters of the game. Snell briefly responded by striking out Matt Olson with an 89 mph slider, but the relief was short-lived as Austin Riley grounded into a fielder’s choice that brought in the game’s first run. By the end of the inning, Atlanta had established momentum, forcing Snell to work from behind early and setting the tone for the rest of the contest.

2. Second-Inning Surge Pushes Game Out of Reach

The second inning proved even more damaging for Snell and the Dodgers, as the Braves’ lineup continued to generate consistent contact and situational hitting. Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies each delivered RBI singles in the frame, with both hits coming with runners in scoring position to extend Atlanta’s lead significantly. Those timely at-bats pushed the Braves ahead 5-0, putting immediate strain on the Dodgers’ pitching staff and limiting any margin for a comeback effort. Despite managing another strikeout and keeping runners off base in the third inning, Snell’s outing lacked the sharpness needed to recover from the early damage.

3. Dodgers Turn to Bullpen as Braves Maintain Control

After three innings, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opted to remove Snell, signaling the end of a difficult return outing and turning the game over to the bullpen. Jack Dreyer entered first in relief and provided a brief stabilizing presence, inducing a double play during his early work to slow Atlanta’s momentum. However, the Braves continued to apply pressure against the bullpen, with Edgardo Henriquez taking over in the next frame but surrendering a double to Michael Harris II. By the middle innings, Atlanta had extended its lead to 6-0 and maintained full control of the game, limiting any realistic path for a Dodgers comeback.