Field Level Media
Jun 28, 2023
Matt Olson homered and five Atlanta pitchers combined for a 3-0 shutout win over the visiting Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, securing the Braves' three-game series sweep and extending their winning streak to five.
The win marked the eighth sweep of the season for Atlanta. The Braves have won 13 of their last 14 games.
Olson went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a solo homer off reliever Jordan Balazovic in the eighth inning. It was Olson's National League-leading 26th home run of the season.
Atlanta starter Kolby Allard was activated from the 60-day injured list to make the spot start. Allard threw 4 2/3 shutout innings. He allowed three hits, one walk and struck out eight.
Allard left the game with runners on first and second with two outs in the fifth. Kirby Yates entered to strike out Donovan Solano to end the threat. Yates (3-0) pitched 1 1/3 innings and fanned three of the four batters he faced.
A.J. Minter, Joe Jimenez and Raisel Iglesias each followed with a scoreless frame. Iglesias struck out two and earned his 13th save.
Minnesota starter Kenta Maeda (1-5) pitched five innings and allowed two runs on five hits, with two walks and four strikeouts.
Atlanta scored a run in the first inning when Ronald Acuna Jr. walked, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and came home on Olson's double. It was the 76th first-inning run scored by the Braves this season.
The Braves added a run in the third inning. Michael Harris II singled and eventually scored on Ozzie Albies' sacrifice fly.
Minnesota's Royce Lewis went 0-for-4, ending his hitting streak at eight games and his on-base streak at 11.
Atlanta's Marcell Ozuna had a single and extended his hitting streak to nine games.
Atlanta is off Thursday and begins a three-game series on Friday against the Miami Marlins. Minnesota continues its nine-game road trip on Friday by opening a three-game set at Baltimore.
--Field Level Media