Sun May 11 02:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Braves’ Young Pitcher Smith-Shawver Shines, Leading Team to Victory
**Pittsburgh, PA** – Atlanta Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver continued his impressive resurgence, leading his team to a 3-2, 11-inning victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. The 22-year-old right-hander pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing just five hits and one run, following a near-no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds earlier in the week.
Smith-Shawver’s performance, though not as dominant as his eight-inning scoreless outing against the Reds, solidified his place in the Braves’ rotation. His recent success has been attributed to improved fastball command, a devastating splitter, and enhanced confidence. While he struggled in his first two starts this season, something clicked after a shaky start against the Rays on April 12th. Despite a brief demotion to Triple-A after that game, he returned to the majors and boasts a 1.42 ERA in his three starts since.
The Braves’ win was further bolstered by the exceptional relief pitching of Scott Blewett, who pitched two scoreless innings in extra innings, twice with an automatic runner on second. Blewett’s performance, especially impressive given the high-pressure situation, highlights the Braves’ shrewd acquisition of the reliever after he was waived by the Twins and Orioles.
Manager Brian Snitker expressed his delight with both Smith-Shawver’s and Blewett’s contributions, emphasizing the young pitcher’s potential and the veteran reliever’s clutch performances. Smith-Shawver himself attributes his recent success to a positive mindset and improved control, demonstrated by his ability to quickly recover from early struggles in games. His improved command has dramatically reduced his walks and increased his strikeout rate. Despite his relatively limited major league experience (12 starts), Smith-Shawver’s rapid development and consistent performance suggest a bright future for the young star.
First Piper 