Bryce Elder keeps Athletics quiet in 4-0 shutout win for Braves

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 30: Atlanta pitcher Bryce Elder (55) throws a pitch during the MLB game between the Athletics and the Atlanta Braves on March 30th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Bryce Elder’s first start of the season was a successful one, as his six strong innings and some early offense ended up being the formula for a comprehensive 4-0 series-opening win for the Atlanta Braves over the Athletics. The game got off to an auspicious start for the Braves, as Elder got his night going with a 1-2-3 inning and then the Braves pounced on A’s starter Jacob Lopez right out of the gate.

Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the game with a walk and usually when Acuña reaches base to begin a game, good things usually follow. Sure enough, good times were on the way as Matt Olson put the Braves ahead early with an RBI double and then Mauricio Dubón plated both Olson and Drake Baldwin (who got on with a single earlier on in the first) with an RBI single to make it a three-run first inning for the Braves.

While pitching with a lead has gotten Bryce Elder in trouble at times in the past, that wasn’t the case here on Monday night. Elder sat down the A’s in order in the second inning — even though he gave up a hit to the returning hometown hero Lawrence Butler, Butler’s time on the base paths was short-lived after Elder picked him off at first to end the inning. That was actually Elder’s first career pickoff throw and it also should’ve been the clearest sign that he was going to be on top of his game on the mound tonight.

Elder ran into a bit of trouble in the fourth inning when Tyler Soderstrom and Mississippi State legend Brent Rooker were both on base together with just one out in the fourth inning. Fortunately, Elder was able to retire Jacob Wilson and Lawrence Butler in consecutive harmless fly ball outs (both off of changeups) in order to escape the mini-jam without sustaining much damage. Elder then struck out the side (a Carlos Cortes walk, notwithstanding) in the fifth inning with a nasty-looking sinker punching Nick Kurtz out looking to end the fifth.