Ronald Acuna’s 450 Foot Homer Not Enough For Braves to Turn Back Brewers
ATLANTA (AP) — Eric Lauer allowed one earned run, Christian Yelich’s infield single was the big hit in Milwaukee’s four-run sixth inning, and the streaking Brewers beat the Atlanta Braves 6-3 on Friday night.
The NL Central-leading Brewers have won four straight and nine 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.
Lauer (3-0) gave up two runs, one earned, on two hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings. He had eight strikeouts, giving him 32 in his last three starts. The left-hander has allowed no more than one earned run in four consecutive starts and has a 1.82 ERA.
Dansby Swanson added an eighth-inning homer off Jandel Gustave for Atlanta.
Four Milwaukee pitchers combined to allow three hits, including the two home runs.
Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his 11th save. Hader, who had been bothered by back spasms, made his first appearance since April 27. Shortstop Willy Adames’ throwing error on Marcell Ozuna’s grounder with two outs allowed Atlanta’s only baserunner of the ninth, Ozzie Albies popped out to end the game.
After hitting 20 homers in a six-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati, the Brewers found different ways to score as they opened a nine-game trip. Milwaukee managed only two infield hits in the big sixth inning, but took advantage of four walks by Collin McHugh (0-1) and Tyler Matzek.
McHugh’s walk to Omar Narváez loaded the bases. Lorenzo Cain beat out a fielder’s choice grounder that forced Narváez at second base, giving the Brewers a 3-2 lead. Kolten Wong’s walk again loaded the bases before Matzek’s walk to Adames forced in a run.
Yelich followed with a run-scoring infield single off Tyler Thornburg. Wong scored a second run on the play on Albies’ wild throw to second base for an error.
Rowdy Tellez hit a two-run, first-inning double off Jesse Chavez to center field to drive in Wong and Andrew McCutchen. Chavez, serving as the opener, allowed three hits and two runs in his only inning.
Rookie Spencer Strider pitched four scoreless innings behind Chavez, setting a career high with eight strikeouts.
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 uniform sleeves.
