Atlanta Braves Lose Ninth-Inning Game Following Eli White Baserunning Error

The Atlanta Braves lost a close 2-1 game to the San Diego Padres, largely due to a critical baserunning error by pinch runner Eli White in the ninth inning. With the tying run on second base, White misread a hit by Ozzie Albies, mistakenly believing Padres centerfielder Jackson Merrill had caught the ball, and turned back to second base instead of advancing to third, allowing White to be tagged out and ending the Braves' rally. Despite clear stop signals from third base coach Matt Tuiasosopo, White's confusion cost the team dearly and overshadowed Ronald Acuña Jr.'s much-anticipated return to the lineup. White admitted postgame that he got confused despite seeing the ball drop and considered it a tough mistake to swallow. The blunder stunned the crowd and players alike, highlighting the importance of split-second decisions in baseball and becoming a widely discussed and criticized moment. Manager Brian Snitker and commentators largely placed responsibility on White, noting the rarity and severity of such an error in a crucial situation.