Photo via Yahoo Sports

Ronald Acuña Jr. flails as Braves fall to Dodgers, and difficult questions are coming in Atlanta: 'I did nothing to help the team'

ATLANTA — The Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated the Atlanta Braves from the National League Division Series with a 4-1 victory in Game 4 on Wednesday night, concluding a matchup that left Ronald Acuña Jr. under fire for his offensive struggles.

Following the conclusion of the series, an emotional, teary-eyed Acuña spoke with reporters in the clubhouse.

The decisive fourth game slipped away from Atlanta during the late innings. Braves starter Tyler Mahle was removed in the seventh inning after compiling an 85-pitch outing, during which his four-seam fastball velocity reached an average of 94.9 mph in the sixth inning, surpassing his marks from each of the first three frames.

Didier Fuentes replaced Mahle in the seventh and issued walks to two of the three hitters he encountered. Fuentes registered five four-seam fastballs that averaged 95.9 mph, dropping from the 99.4 mph average he logged during his appearance on Sunday.

Robert Suarez was summoned to pitch with the bases loaded in the seventh inning of Game 4. Facing Andy Pages, Suarez surrendered a go-ahead two-run single to center field.

Suarez had previously recorded a 0.56 ERA over 31 appearances before experiencing elbow discomfort in June. Atlanta's offense in the contest came early, as Michael Harris II singled in the opening frame and came around to score on a wild pitch.

The defeat followed an ugly home performance in Game 3 on Tuesday night, October 6, 2026, at Truist Park, which dropped the Braves into a 2-1 series deficit. The two clubs had entered that contest tied 1-1 after the Dodgers secured Game 1 by a 5-3 margin and the Braves took Game 2 by a 3-2 final.

During Tuesday's Game 3, Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto generated 10 strikeouts across seven innings of work to propel Los Angeles to the win.

Braves starter Chris Sale turned in what was termed a middling five-inning effort in Game 3, surrendering two home runs over his time on the mound. Acuña's lack of offensive production carried directly into that third contest.

This report also draws on coverage from MLB.com, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, House That Hank Built.

Up nextMLB· 13h ago

The latest on Acuña (knee) and how his status impacts the Braves for NLDS Game 4