Second shutout boosts Braves
Ian Anderson dazzled in another shutout performance, and the Braves won a playoff series for the first time in almost two decades by sweeping the light-hitting Reds with a 5-0 victory Thursday in Atlanta. Ronald Acuna 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, the Braves broke open Game 2 on two-run homers by Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall off Raisel Iglesias in the eighth. Anderson, above, 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. The Braves will face the Marlins or the Cubs in the NLDS in Houston. Just like in 2001, when Hall of Famers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz helped lead the way, the Braves pitching staff delivered. The 22-year-old Anderson allowed two hits and walked two in his playoff debut after six regular-season starts. Will Smith, Chris Martin and Mark Melancon each threw one perfect inning. The Reds wasted a solid performance by Luis Castillo, who struck out seven in 51⁄ innings in his first postseason
3 start. Trevor Bauer struck out 12 in 72⁄ scoreless innings in the Reds’ Game 1 loss. The Braves jumped in front Thursday
3 in the fifth. With two outs, Austin Riley took off from first base on a pitch Acuna lined into the gap in left center. Riley scored easily and Acuna stood on second base, pumping both fists in the air in celebration.