Holmes' 'special' game with 15 strikeouts is wasted in loss as Braves shift focus to visit from Mets

ATLANTA (AP) — Grant Holmes believed he was on the verge of a game to remember when the Atlanta right-hander reached 10 strikeouts for the first time in his career — and it was only the fifth inning.

“It was a special moment,” Holmes said.

It was difficult for the Braves to explain how Holmes' milestone game, which started with five hitless innings and ended with a career-best 15 strikeouts, was wasted in Sunday's 10-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

Holmes (3-6) did not allow a hit or a walk through five innings but trailed 1-0 thanks to his fielding and throwing errors on Ryan Ritter's grounder in the third. After the Braves tied the game at 1-1 in the sixth, Holmes gave up Ryan McMahon's go-ahead homer in the seventh. The right-hander gave up three runs, two earned, in 6 1/3 innings.

“It sucks to waste that start from him,” said Braves first baseman Matt Olson.

Holmes' 15 strikeouts came one game after Spencer Strider's 13 strikeouts in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Rockies.

“I didn't see that coming,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker, adding that Holmes' strong start was not the only surprise.

“I felt good about putting runs on the board, too,” Snitker said, referring to the team's strong hitting in scoring a combined 16 runs while winning the first two games of the series.

“We're starting to click here and get this thing rolling,” Snitker said. “We just can't get off the mat and get anything rolling for any extended time and we haven't all year.”

Relievers Enyel De Los Santos and José Ruiz combined to give up seven runs after Holmes' exit.

Even so, Holmes' start gives the Braves confidence in their rotation which also includes Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Chris Sale and Bryce Elder.

“Those guys are really good,” Holmes said. “... I feel like going forward if we stay like we are we'll be in a pretty good position.”

The Braves have won back-to-back series against Milwaukee and Colorado, but they couldn't complete the sweep of the Rockies they hoped would provide momentum for a visit from the NL East-leading New York Mets. The three-game series begins on Tuesday night.

The Braves tweaked their rotation, moving Sale from his scheduled start on Sunday so he could follow Schwellenbach against the Mets, with Strider planned for the third game.

The Mets will be looking to rebound after being swept at home by Tampa Bay. They are still 13 games ahead of third-place Atlanta in the division.

“We've got to turn the page and get ready to play Tuesday,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza following Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Rays.

“We know when you look at this team on paper, that's a really good team,” Mendoza said of the Braves (31-39).

The Braves will visit New York for a four-game series June 23-26.

“We've got a chance to make up some ground,” Olson said. “It will be our first time seeing them.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes (66) attempts fielding a ball hit by Colorado Rockies' Ryan Ritter (8) in the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes (66) delivers against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes (66) works against Colorado Rockies' Jordan Beck (27) in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes (66) speaks with catcher Sean Murphy (12) in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points and seven assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the short-handed Golden State Warriors for a 131-94 win Friday night.

Stephen Curry sat out because of a left ankle sprain and backcourt mate Jimmy Butler became ill earlier in the day. Draymond Green rested, while Jonathan Kuminga missed the game with back soreness.

That left Steve Kerr's starting lineup as Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, Gui Santos and Quinten Post.

Kerr was optimistic Curry would play Saturday against the Jazz.

Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10 for 20 with three 3-pointers and converted all seven of his free throws for his seventh game in the last nine with 30 or more points — and now three straight. He had 38 points on 13-for-21 shooting with five 3-pointers in the last matchup against the Warriors.

Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points and a season-best 15 rebounds — two off his career high — as Oklahoma City (30-5) won a fourth straight following its first two-game skid of the season.

Richard had 13 points and five rebounds, Al Horford and Moody also scored 13 while Pat Spencer dished out 11 assists against the defending champion Thunder, who had lost their previous two road games but also won 124-112 at Golden State exactly a month earlier on Dec. 2.

Richard's 3-pointer with 7:19 left in the second quarter got Golden State within 38-36 before Oklahoma City answered with a 19-0 run to go ahead 64-45 at halftime.

The Warriors had won two straight, five of six and three in a row at home, where they are in a stretch with 10 of 11 at Chase Center.

Thunder: Visit Phoenix on Sunday.

Warriors: Host Utah on Saturday night to complete a back-to-back.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) shoots a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)