Braves win NL East title again

ATLANTA — The Braves clinched their second straight NL East title as Ronald Acuna Jr. hit his 41st homer in a 6-0 victory over the Giants on Friday night.

The Giants were eliminated from postseason contention i n Bruce Bochy’s last year as manager.

Acuna scored three runs to back Mike Foltynewicz (8-5), who allowed three hits in eight innings. The Braves’ 19th division title tied the Yankees for the most since Major League Baseball split into divisions for the 1969 season.

The Braves’ win ensured it will finish ahead of the second-place Nationals and will start the NLDS at home Oct. 3.

Braves players ran onto the infield to celebrate as soon as Acuna caught Alex Dickerson’s game-ending flyout.

The Braves ( 95- 60) moved into sole possession of first place for good June 12. Led by Acuna, Freddie Freeman, Josh Donaldson and a offense that produced a franchise-best 241 homers, its lead swelled from 51⁄ to 10 games in six days ending with a 9-4 home win over Nationals on Sept. 7.

The Braves, who haven’t won a postseason series since 2001, secured a playoffs berth last week and needed a few extra days to clinch the division. They lost three in a row for the first time since July 16-18 but have won two straight.

Bochy was given a standing ovation when a video tribute was played before the second inning. The 64-year-old is retiring after 25 seasons as a major league manager. He guided the Giants to three World Series titles.