Atlanta Braves’ Bryce Elder Makes Honest Admission After Mets Game

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 10: Sean Murphy #12 and Bryce Elder #55 of the Atlanta Braves converse during the first inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on August 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Braves dropped their series opener to the New York Mets on Monday evening, 8-5.

Bryce Elder started the game for Atlanta and surrendered a grand slam in the first inning in what was a 5-run inning for the Mets, which helped aid them in the series-opening victory.

However, many Braves fans and spectators pointed out that the first-inning grand slam by Mets slugger Brett Baty should not have happened because Bryce Elder appeared to challenge a pitch but did not receive a call from the umpire, as a Mets baserunner was simultaneously stealing second base.

Following the Braves game on Monday, Bryce Elder reflected on that play.

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Bryce Elder Reveals Thoughts After Mets Performance

GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 10: Bryce Elder #55 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on August 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Here is what Bryce Elder said following the game:

“I think if I had stood my ground and tapped my hat longer, maybe he would have seen me,” Elder said. “But, yeah, I didn’t. So, you got to make better pitches.”

Walt Weiss also added:

“I don’t think, probably, the umpire’s attention doesn’t go to the pitcher. “They’re looking at the catcher for the challenge. There’s 99% of the time that’s where the challenge is coming from.”

Elder ended up pitching five innings, but allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits in the process, and the first-inning grand slam obviously put the Braves’ offense behind the 8-ball pretty quickly.

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More on Bryce Elder Incident:

GettyPITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 09: Bryce Elder #55 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 9, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

There was a notable reaction across Braves Country on social media regarding the Bryce Elder incident where he apparently wasn’t emphatic enough about wanting to challenge a pitch: