The Atlanta Braves received a much-needed offensive boost from Matt Olson, who snapped a lengthy home run drought in emphatic fashion by blasting two solo home runs to lead his team to a 5-3 victory over the New York Mets on Friday night at Truist Park.
Olson’s power display helped Atlanta open the four-game National League East series with a win while extending the Mets’ struggles during an increasingly difficult season.
Olson Rediscovers His Power
After going 16 consecutive games without a home run, Olson broke out in spectacular style by leaving the yard twice for his second multi-home run game of the 2026 season and the 27th multi-homer performance of his Major League career.
The veteran first baseman now leads the Braves with 22 home runs this season, reaffirming his role as one of the club’s most dangerous power hitters.
Both of Olson’s long balls came as solo shots, but each proved crucial in helping Atlanta maintain control of the game.
Braves Make the Most of Limited Offense
Although Atlanta managed only five hits throughout the contest, the Braves maximized every scoring opportunity thanks to their power.
Four of the team’s five hits cleared the fences, with Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies, and Olson accounting for all of Atlanta’s offense through home runs.
Harris gave the Braves an early spark in the second inning by launching a two-run homer, his 15th of the season, to provide the game’s first runs.
Earlier in the game, Harris had already made his presence felt defensively, racing into the outfield to make an outstanding running catch that robbed Carson Benge of an extra-base hit and prevented the Mets from scoring in the opening inning.
Mets Respond Before Braves Pull Away
New York quickly answered in the third inning when superstar Juan Soto continued his success against Atlanta by driving an opposite-field home run over the fence.
The blast was Soto’s 18th home run of the season and the 27th of his career against the Braves, trimming Atlanta’s early advantage.
However, the Braves wasted little time reclaiming the lead.
Later in the third inning, Ozzie Albies connected on his 14th home run of the year, restoring Atlanta’s advantage at 3-2.
Olson Delivers the Decisive Blows
Olson added another insurance run in the fifth inning when he crushed a solo home run into the right-center field seats off Mets reliever A.J. Minter.
The homer carried added significance because it ended Minter’s remarkable streak of 25 consecutive scoreless appearances.
The former Braves reliever surrendered his first earned run of the entire season, thanks to Olson’s timely swing.
Olson wasn’t finished.
In the eighth inning, he launched another solo homer, this time against Kodai Senga, providing Atlanta with an important insurance run that helped secure the victory.
Pitching Holds Off Late Mets Rally
Braves starter Grant Holmes turned in another solid outing to improve his record to 5-4.
The right-hander worked five innings, allowing just two runs—only one earned—on five hits and one walk while striking out two batters.
Closer Raisel Iglesias encountered some resistance in the ninth inning after allowing an RBI single to Bo Bichette, but he successfully closed out the game to earn his 17th save of the season.
Mets Continue to Slide
New York starter Christian Scott battled command issues throughout his outing.
The young right-hander pitched four innings, surrendering three runs on only two hits, but four walks ultimately proved costly despite his impressive total of seven strikeouts.
The defeat dropped the Mets to a season-worst 16 games below .500, deepening what has become an increasingly disappointing campaign.
Meanwhile, the Braves continued to strengthen their position in the National League standings, fueled by Olson’s long-awaited return to form and another timely display of power hitting.
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