Braves shut out Reds again, punch ticket to next round
Ian Anderson dazzled in another shutout performance for Atlanta, and the Braves won a playoff series for the first time in almost two decades by sweeping the light-hitting Cincinnati Reds with a 5- 0 victory Thursday.
Ronald Acuña Jr. had three hits for the NL East champions, including a run- scoring double in the fifth. After winning Wednesday’s series opener 1- 0 in 13 innings, Atlanta broke open Game 2 on two-run homers by Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall off Raisel Iglesias in the eighth.
Anderson struck out nine in six innings as the Braves snapped their record-tying string of losses in 10 consecutive postseason rounds since their last playoff series win in 2001. Atlanta will face Miami or the Chicago Cubs in the NL Division Series in Houston.
Just like in 2001, when Hall of Famers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz helped lead the way, Atlanta’s pitching staff delivered.
The 22-year- old Anderson allowed two hits and walked two in his playoff debut after six regularseason starts. Will Smith, Chris Martin and Mark Melancon each threw one perfect inning.
Cincinnati wasted a solid performance by Luis Castillo, who struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings in his first postseason start. Trevor Bauer struck out 12 in 7 2/3 scoreless innings in the Reds’ Game 1 loss.
Atlanta jumped in front in the fifth. With two outs, Austin Riley took off from first base on a pitch Acuña lined into the gap in left center. Riley scored easily and Acuña stood on second base, pumping both fists in
the air in celebration.
Cincinnati left 13 runners on base Wednesday, and its scoring frustrations continued.
Anderson’s second walk of the second, to Freddy Galvis, loaded the bases with two outs. Tucker Barnhart’s groundout to second base ended the inning.
The Braves had been 0-7 in their last seven potential clinching games in the postseason.
GAME 2 OF MARLINS- CUBS SERIES POSTPONED >> Game 2 of the National League wild- card series between the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins was postponed because of a forecast for rain on Thursday. Miami leads 1- 0 after winning the opener 5-1, and the teams will meet today. If a Game 3 is needed, it would be played Saturday.
Yu Darvish was scheduled to start Game 2 for Chicago, and rookie Sixto Sánchez for the Marlins.
DODGERS 4, BREWERS 2 >> Mookie Betts had two hits and an RBI, Corey Seager homered, and Los Angeles beat Milwaukee late Wednesday in the opener of their NL wild- card series.
YANKEES 10, INDIANS 9 >> DJ LeMahieu’s tiebreaking single in the ninth inning off Cleveland closer Brad Hand sent New York into the AL Division Series with a wild win.
At 4 hours, 50 minutes — even without the rain delays — it was the longest nine-inning game (regular season or postseason) in major league history. The Yankees play AL East rival Tampa Bay in a bestof-five ALDS in San Diego next week.
ASTROS ACE VERLANDER HAS TOMMY JOHN SURGERY >> Astros ace Justin Verlander had Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. General manager James Click announced that the estimated recovery time at about 12-14 months. That means the earliest Verlander could pitch for would be in the 2022 season and it might not be for the Astros.
Verlander, who turns 38 in February, has a $33 million salary next year, then is eligible for free agency.