logo
Acuña hits 2 homers as Braves end 13-game losing streak in California with win over A's

Acuña hits 2 homers as Braves end 13-game losing streak in California with win over A's

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. hit two home runs, including a towering blast to lead off Wednesday night's game against the Athletics, and the Atlanta Braves hit a season-high five homers in a 9-2 victory.
The Braves had lost 13 consecutive games in the state of California.
It was the 14th career multi-homer performance for Acuña, who opened the game with a shot to left field that
went out of the Triple-A ballpark
.
Acuña, who will compete in Monday's Home Run Derby in his home stadium,
added another solo homer
in the fourth inning to right field on a pitch well outside the strike zone.
Drake Baldwin hit a three-run homer for the Braves, Austin Riley had a two-run shot and Marcell Ozuna added a solo home run — all off A's starter Mitch Spence (2-5), who lasted six innings despite allowing nine hits and eight runs.
Braves right-hander Bryce Elder (3-6) gave up eight hits, allowed two earned runs and struck out seven batters in 6 2/3 innings for his first victory since May 4, a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had gone 0-5 with a 6.59 ERA over eight starts since then.
Key moment
Baldwin's three-run, 431-foot homer to right-center field in the first inning gave the Braves a 4-0 lead.
Key stat
In addition to ending their long California skid, the Braves were 0-11 in the Golden State this year. Their last victory in the state until now was 3-1 over the Los Angeles Angels last Aug. 18.
Up next
The teams wrap up their three-game series on Thursday. Braves RHP Spencer Strider (3-7, 3.93 ERA) is scheduled to face A's LHP JP Sears (7-7. 4.76). The teams split the first two games.
__
AP MLB:
https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Poland beats Denmark for first ever Women's European Championship win
Poland beats Denmark for first ever Women's European Championship win

San Francisco Chronicle​

time20 minutes ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Poland beats Denmark for first ever Women's European Championship win

LUCERNE, Switzerland (AP) — Natalia Padilla scored one goal and set up the others for Poland's first ever Women's European Championship win, 3-2 over Denmark in their final group game on Saturday. Poland is appearing in the tournament for the first time and the Spanish-born Padilla got the country's first ever goal when she opened the scoring in the 13th minute, pouncing on a rebound to fire past Maja Bay Østergaard after Ewa Pajor's initial effort was blocked at the right post. 'We waited a long time for it,' Poland coach Nina Patalon told UEFA. 'We wanted to score that one goal, and we scored three. Today I am so proud of my girls and just so, so happy.' Padilla followed her goal by crossing for Pajor to head in the second in the 20th. Denmark suffered another blow five minutes later when captain Pernille Harder went off with what looked like a hamstring injury. Denmark was already without Emma Snerle, who suffered a head injury during Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Germany. Denmark players paused during their pre-game warmup to pose with Snerle's jersey, while Danish fans also displayed a large banner wishing her well. Denmark pulled one back through Janni Thomsen before the hour-mark when Kinga Szemik let her long-range effort slip through her fingers. Martyna Wiankowska scored Poland's third against the run of play in the 76th when Padilla's attempted shot from Pajor's cross turned into a layoff for the substitute to fire in off the underside of the crossbar. Forward Signe Bruun finally got her goal in the 83rd after several close attempts, setting up a nervy finale, but Poland held on for a momentous win. "We were so looking forward to that final whistle! Those emotions are still with me, and will probably stay with me for the rest of my life,' Patalon said. Neither team had any hope of emerging from Group C after losing their opening games. Sweden defeated Germany 4-1 in the other match to top the group.

Cubs beat Yankees 5-2, end five-game winning streak
Cubs beat Yankees 5-2, end five-game winning streak

San Francisco Chronicle​

time21 minutes ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Cubs beat Yankees 5-2, end five-game winning streak

NEW YORK (AP) — Chicago's Matthew Boyd won a matchup of All-Star left-handers as Max Fried left early because of yet another blister on his pitching hand, and the Cubs stopped the New York Yankees' five-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory on Saturday. Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the ninth off Brad Keller, his 35th of the season, and became the fastest player to 350 home runs. Playing his 1,088th game, Judge bettered Mark McGwire's 1,280. A first time All-Star, Boyd (10-3) won his fourth straight start and fifth consecutive decision, giving up four hits in eight scoreless innings with six strikeouts and no walks. He threw 62 of 85 pitches for strikes. Judge hit a pair of doubles against the 34-year-old. Daniel Palencia, throwing at up to 101.1 mph, got two outs for his 11th save in 12 chances. Fried (11-3) allowed nine of 18 batters to reach, giving up four runs — three earned — six hits and three walks in three innings. He threw just 39 of 73 pitches for strikes. Fried, a three-time All-Star, was on the injured list for blisters on his left index finger in 2018, '19, '21 and '23. He had been 6-0 against the Cubs. Nico Hoerner tripled leading off the game and scored on Kyle Tucker's groundout. Carson Kelly and Ian Happ hit run-scoring singles in the third around Dansby Swanson's RBI grounder. Kelly homered in the eighth off Jonathan Loáisiga, who has allowed a career-high seven home runs over 23 1/3 innings in his return from Tommy John surgery.

Buxton hits for the cycle on his bobblehead day as Twins beat Pirates, 12-4
Buxton hits for the cycle on his bobblehead day as Twins beat Pirates, 12-4

Hamilton Spectator

time24 minutes ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Buxton hits for the cycle on his bobblehead day as Twins beat Pirates, 12-4

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton hit for the cycle on his bobblehead day, completing it with a solo home run in the seventh inning, and the Minnesota Twins routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-4 on Saturday. Buxton hit a single in the first inning, a triple in the second and a double in the third. He singled again in the fifth before stepping to the plate in the seventh for one more chance at the first cycle ever at Target Field, which opened in 2010. Facing Pirates reliever Andrew Heaney, Buxton hit a solo homer 427 feet to center field to complete the cycle — and send Target Field into a frenzy. His timing was perfect, too: Saturday's giveaway at the stadium was a Buxton bobblehead of his 'Buck Truck' home run celebration. Buxton's homer came two days before the Home Run Derby, in which he'll participate in his home state of Georgia at Truist Park in Atlanta. Kody Clemens hit a three-run homer in the Twins' six-run second inning. Matt Wallner and Willi Castro each hit solo homers, with Castro's coming right after Buxton's momentous blast. Cole Sands threw two hitless innings as Minnesota's opening pitcher. Reliever Travis Adams (1-0) gave up two hits and two runs — one unearned — in four innings to pick up his first career win in his second major league appearance. Pirates starter Mike Burrows (1-3) recorded just four outs before he was lifted in his shortest start of the year. Jack Suwinski homered for the Pirates, who lost their eighth straight game. Key moment Buxton's cycle was the highlight of the game, but it was Clemens' blast that opened the floodgates in the Twins' six-run second inning. Key stat Buxton became the 12th player in Twins history to hit for the cycle. Up next RHP Mitch Keller (3-10, 3.58 ERA) starts Pittsburgh's final game before the All-Star break. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4, 4.08) takes the mound Sunday for the Twins. ___ AP MLB:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store