The Atlanta Braves closed out a six-game homestand with a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night at Truist Park, which allowed Atlanta to clinch a series for the first time this year (by two games to one). The evening was highlighted by the grand return of Ronald Acuna Jr. after being sidelined by a torn ACL since July 10th; he went 1-for-5 with a pair of stolen bases.
The Braves used the long ball to get the job done. Austin Riley got the team on the board with a solo home run during the bottom of the first inning.
The Cubs tied the game at 1-1 with a run in the top of the second. The Braves regained the lead during the third on a solo shot by Dansby Swanson, his first home run of the year.
Atlanta added three insurance runs during the bottom of the eighth, including an RBI double by Travis d’Arnaud and a two-run bomb by Adam Duvall; that was his first home run of the year.
Kyle Wright was credited with the win for Atlanta after surrendering one run and three hits, walking four, and striking out eight in seven innings. He went 3-0 for the month of April. Drew Smyly, former Brave, was charged with the loss for Chicago.
The Braves will be in Arlington, Texas over the weekend for a three-game set with the Texas Rangers. The first pitch of tonight’s opener is set for 8:05 pm. Listen on WLAQ 1410 AM or 96.9 FM; air time is 6:50 pm.
In a minor league update, the Rome Braves picked up a shut out win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers 11-0 on Thursday night at AdventHealth Stadium. Rome now leads the six game series between the teams by two games to one. Game four is slated for tonight at 7 pm.