dailyloe.com – The Atlanta Braves defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0 in Phoenix on Friday night. Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth inning to secure the win. This victory improved the Braves’ early season record to six wins and two losses.
Grant Holmes started for Atlanta and held Arizona to just one hit over six innings. He walked three batters and struck out four during his scoreless outing. Arizona starter Eduardo Rodríguez matched him with seven strong shutout innings of his own.
The game remained scoreless until the top of the ninth inning. Ozzie Albies hit a solo home run off reliever Paul Sewald on an 0-1 pitch. Matt Olson immediately followed by homering on Sewald’s very next delivery.
Robert Suarez earned the win with a perfect eighth inning of relief. Raisel Iglesias secured his first save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Arizona’s offense continued to struggle, scoring only three runs in its last three games.
Albies finished the game with three of Atlanta’s six total hits. His home run was his second of the young season. Olson’s homer was also his second of the year.
The Diamondbacks’ only hit was a sixth-inning single by Ketel Marte. Eduardo Rodríguez’s start marked his first time opening a season with consecutive scoreless outings. The loss dropped Arizona’s record to three wins and five losses.
The teams continue their four-game series on Saturday. Braves pitcher Bryce Elder is scheduled to start against Arizona’s Michael Soroka. Both pitchers enter the game with one win and no losses this season.[]
Source: ESPN
