Key keywords: Hurston Waldrep, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, 2024 MLB Regular Season, Rookie Pitcher, National League Matchup, Truist Park, Pitching Performance, MLB Rookie Debut The Atlanta Braves picked up a dominant 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park on Wednesday night, headlined by a spectacular first career major league start from top pitching prospect Hurston Waldrep. Selected 24th overall by the Braves in the 2022 MLB Draft, Waldrep has rapidly risen through the team’s minor league system over the past two seasons, posting a 2.49 ERA across AA and AAA play in 2024 before earning his call-up earlier this week. Against the Pirates, the 22-year-old right-hander looked far more composed than the average rookie making his first big league appearance. He tossed 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 earned run on 3 hits, walking 2 batters and striking out 8 of the 23 hitters he faced. His fastball averaged 96 mph and topped out at 99 mph, paired with a sharp wipeout slider and well-controlled changeup that left Pittsburgh’s hitters off-balance for most of his outing. Waldrep worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the 4th inning without allowing any runs, a moment that Braves manager Brian Snitker cited as a turning point for the game in his post-game press conference. The Braves’ offense provided plenty of run support early, with star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. hitting a 2-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to put Atlanta up immediately. Second baseman Ozzie Albies added an RBI double in the 3rd inning, and first baseman Matt Olson drove in another run with a sacrifice fly in the 5th to extend the lead to 4-0 before the Pirates got their lone run off Waldrep in the top of the 6th. Pittsburgh added a second run on a sacrifice fly in the 8th inning off reliever A.J. Minter, but Braves third baseman Austin Riley put the game out of reach with a solo home run in the bottom of the 8th to push the final score to 5-2. Waldrep earned his first career major league win with the performance, extending the Braves’ winning streak to 4 games. The victory pushes Atlanta’s record to 18-7 on the season, maintaining their 3-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies at the top of the National League East standings. The Pirates fall to 12-13 with the loss, sitting in third place in the National League Central. The two teams will face off for the second game of their three-game series on Thursday, with Atlanta sending ace Spencer Strider to the mound against Pittsburgh’s top starter Mitch Keller, drawing high expectations from fans across both fan bases and neutral MLB viewers.