BRAVES CAPTURE NL EAST CROWN
Bryse Wilson pitched five scoreless innings, Marcell Ozuna drove in five runs with four hits that included two homers and the Atlanta Braves clinched their third straight NL East title by beating the Miami Marlins 11-1 on Tuesday night.
Atlanta hit five homers, including drives by Dansby Swanson and Freddie Freeman off Nick Vincent in a five-run seventh. Freeman drove in two runs with three hits.
After Jorge Alfaro lined out to Freeman to end the game, Braves players hugged on the field and exchanged high-fives in the dugout.
Wilson (1-0) allowed three hits and one walk, striking out a career-high seven. It was an unexpected showing by the 22-yearold right-hander, who had a 7.04 ERA in four relief outings and had been at the team’s alternate training site until Monday. He had not started since July 16 last year at Milwaukee.
Atlanta clinched its record 20th division title,
Braves 11, Marlins 1
one more than the New York Yankees. The Braves won 14 straight in completed seasons from 19912005 but have not won a postseason series since 2001 and have not won a championship since 1995.
Miami remained in position to earn its first playoff berth since winning the 2003 World Series.
Ozuna hit a first-inning homer off Jose Urena (0-3), who allowed four runs in six innings.
Notable
Rays manager Kevin Cash said Blake Snell is scheduled to start the team’s first playoff game next Tuesday. Tyler Glasnow will follow, and then Charlie Morton if the bestof-three series goes the distance. All three would be on two extra days’ rest.
• The Yankees optioned
RHP Michael King to their alternate training site, following his start on Monday in which he struck out six but allowed five runs in 22⁄3 innings. RHP Ben Heller was recalled and put on the 60-day IL with a right biceps nerve injury.
• The Twins reinstated right-hander Homer Bailey from the 45-day injured list on Tuesday so he could start their series opener against Detroit.
• Indians RHP Jefry Rodriguez (right shoulder strain) is on the 45-day injured list and will not pitch again this season. Cleveland has only made three IL moves since setting its roster on July 23.
• Mariners second baseman Dylan Moore’s season is over after he was placed on the seven-day concussion list Tuesday.
• Phillies C J.T. Realmuto (hip) returned for the first time since Sept. 12 after missing 11 games. He caught the opener and served as the DH in the second game.
• Shortstop Andrelton Simmons has opted out of the remainder of the Angels’ season.