The Sacramento Athletics dropped a 5-1 decision to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, with starting pitcher Luis Severino struggling through 3.1 innings of work that included five walks and four earned runs. Catcher Shea Langeliers provided the lone offensive highlight with a solo home run, but it wasn't nearly enough as Chris Sale dominated on the mound for Atlanta in what proved to be a frustrating afternoon for the A's spring training squad.
Severino's Command Issues Costly
The story of this game was written in the first four innings, where Severino couldn't find the strike zone consistently enough to keep Atlanta's hitters honest. The right-hander struck out seven batters, showing his stuff is there, but five walks in just 3.1 innings told the real story. When you're behind in counts consistently, major league hitters will make you pay, and that's exactly what happened.
Elvis Alvarado didn't help matters in relief, surrendering another run on two hits in just two-thirds of an inning. The bright spot came from the back end of the bullpen, where Hogan Harris threw two scoreless innings without allowing a hit, and Luis Medina followed with two more clean frames. That kind of depth will be crucial during the regular season.
Langeliers Shows Power Potential
While the offense managed just four hits against Sale and the Braves' bullpen, Langeliers' performance stood out. The catcher went 2-for-4 with his solo shot, continuing to show the power potential that makes him such an intriguing piece of this Athletics rebuild. Getting quality at-bats against a pitcher of Sale's caliber is valuable experience, even in a spring training setting.
The rest of the lineup couldn't solve Sale, who allowed just one hit and no walks over six innings while striking out three. It's a reminder that facing elite pitching consistently will be one of the biggest challenges this Athletics team faces in 2026.
Braves Offense Efficient
Atlanta didn't need to do much heavy lifting offensively, but they made their opportunities count. Drake Baldwin drove in four runs despite not homering, going 2-for-3 and taking advantage of the scoring chances Severino's wildness created. Dominic Smith added two hits in four at-bats, providing the kind of consistent contact that wears down pitchers over nine innings.
What This Means Moving Forward
Spring training games are about evaluation and preparation, and this one provided plenty of both. Severino's command issues are concerning, but it's early enough in camp to work through mechanical adjustments. The encouraging performances from Harris and Medina in long relief suggest there's depth building in the bullpen, which could be crucial given the likely growing pains this young Athletics team will experience.
Langeliers continues to look like a foundational piece behind the plate and at the plate. His ability to work quality at-bats and drive the ball with authority gives this lineup a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat.
The Athletics will need to bounce back quickly as they continue preparing for what promises to be a challenging but important season in Sacramento. Every game, even in spring training, is a chance to build the habits and chemistry that will matter when the games count for real.
