Riley 'lost for words' amid Braves' latest 7-game losing skid 2n1e4w
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley is struggling to understand how his team has fallen into another seven-game losing streak. 405d6d
"I’m a little lost for words, explanations on what it is to get us going right now," he said after Sunday's 4-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
"It’s a lot of disappointment and some self-reflection (around the team). You know, just trying to evaluate ourselves and what we can do to be better. A lot of guys that are in here have been a part of that (postseason streak) and know how to win. And it’s just not happening right now."
Atlanta started the season 0-7 with several key players - mainly Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider - sidelined due to injuries.
The Braves appeared primed to go on a run with those two back in the fold, but they have instead sunk to 10 games under .500 for the first time since 2017, when they finished the season 72-90.
They're currently mired in a 3-14 skid that includes eight one-run losses.
"I think when it continues and the same thing happens over and over and again, every day with the one-run games, you start trying to look for answers," Riley said. "And it’s just not happening. Like I said, kind of lost for words on what we need to do."
Riley hasn't played up to the level that earned him top-10 MVP votes from 2021-2023, but he's still posted a .783 OPS (119 OPS+) with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs through 64 games.
Atlanta entered Monday ranked 11th in the National League in runs scored.