Surging Brewers hold off Braves
Eric Lauer allowed one earned run and Christian Yelich’s infield single was the big hit in visiting Milwaukee’s four-run sixth inning as the streaking Brewers beat the Atlanta Braves, 63, Friday night.
The NL Central Divisionleading Brewers have won four in a row and 9 of 10.
Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. opened the fourth with a 450-foot homer to center field — his first since returning from knee surgery. The momentum of Acuña’s big swing forced him to fall in the batter’s box before he rose to jog around the bases. Dansby Swanson added an eighth-inning homer.
Lauer (3-0) gave up two runs, one earned, on two hits and three walks in 6⅓ innings. He had eight strikeouts, giving him 32 in his past three starts. The lefthander has allowed no more than one earned run in four consecutive starts and has a 1.82 ERA.
The Braves wore their 1974 throwback uniforms as part of their celebration of late Hall of Famer Hank Aaron this week.
Aaron began his major league career with the Milwaukee Braves and played his final two seasons with the Brewers. The Brewers joined the tribute by wearing Aaron’s 44 on their sleeves.
Other games
Astros 3, Tigers 2: Chas McCormick and Martin Maldonado hit consecutive homers and Luis Garcia worked seven strong innings as Houston stretched its winning streak to a seasonhigh five games with a win against visiting Detroit.
White Sox 4, Red Sox 2: Luis Robert hit a two-run homer over the Green Monster and Vince Velasquez halted a rough road stretch by pitching five solid innings to lead visiting Chicago past struggling Boston for its fourth consecutive victory.
Twins 2, Athletics 1: Byron Buxton hit his ninth home run of the season and Jose Miranda connected for the first homer of his career, backing another sharp start by rookie Josh Winder and sending host Minnesota past Oakland.