Max Fried made a triumphant return, and the Atlanta Braves found their winning form once more on Thursday night with a commanding 10-3 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Despite a lengthy hiatus, Fried wasted no time settling into his groove. He retired the first six batters he faced, including two strikeouts. The Braves seized control of the game against Washington’s starter, Jake Irvin, in the third inning. Ronald Acuña Jr. ignited the spark with his fourth triple of the season, setting the tone for the inning. Following Acuña’s lead, Ozzie Albies laced a double down the right-field line, propelling Atlanta to a 1-0 lead. Albies notched his 100th RBI of the season with that hit.

Austin Riley then stepped up with a single up the middle, allowing Albies to dash home, extending the lead to 2-0. The Braves continued to apply pressure as Matt Olson singled, loading the bases.

Marcell Ozuna’s force play resulted in another run, with Riley crossing the plate to make it 3-0. The initial call of a double play was challenged by Atlanta, and the decision was overturned, a crucial move as Michael Harris followed with a double to left, stretching the lead to 4-0. The rally continued as Travis d’Arnaud singled to center, bringing home Harris and pushing the score to 5-0. Although Irvin managed to retire Eddie Rosario on a groundout, he walked Orlando Arcia. With his pitch count reaching 80, Irvin’s night was over, and Dave Martinez turned to his bullpen, bringing in Andres Machado. Machado induced Acuña to ground out, finally ending the inning.

Fried had to endure the lengthy third inning but returned to retire the first batter he faced in the third. However, he then yielded a solo home run to Alex Call. Fried rebounded, striking out Jacob Young and inducing a groundout from CJ Abrams to prevent further damage.

Fried continued his dominant performance with another strikeout in a flawless fourth inning, while the Braves added another run in the fifth. Harris led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a walk by d’Arnaud. Although Rosario struck out, Arcia delivered with a single to left, increasing the lead to 6-1. After a pitching change, Acuña reached on a fielder’s choice and swiped second base, marking his 68th steal of the season. Unfortunately, Albies struck out, leaving the runners stranded.

Fried faced a bit of trouble in the fifth inning when Luis Garcia singled with one out. Fried responded with a strikeout of Drew Millas for the second out, but then allowed a single to Call and a walk to Young, loading the bases. However, he induced Abrams to ground out on a 3-2 pitch to Olson at first, escaping the threat.

Fried returned for the sixth inning, where he regained his composure, adding two more strikeouts while retiring the side in order. The Braves added another run in the seventh inning when Albies singled to left for his third hit of the game.

That marked the end of Fried’s stellar performance, as he handed the ball to Joe Jimenez to start the seventh. Fried’s impressive showing came after an eight-day break due to a blister on his index finger. His curveball was particularly effective on Thursday night as he allowed just three hits, one walk, and one run over six innings. He also recorded seven strikeouts, all while throwing 96 pitches.