Ozuna, Acuna hit homers to again Strider’s 10 strikeouts as Braves high Twins 4-1

ATLANTA — Marcell Ozuna was more and more annoyed in opposition to Sonny Gray, a historical past he up to date in his thoughts along with his newest strikeout in his first at-bat on Monday evening.

“I strike out for maybe the fifth time,” Ozuna stated.

Ozuna responded with a go-ahead homer off Gray within the seventh, Spencer Strider allowed three hits in seven innings whereas placing out 10 and the Atlanta Braves beat the Minnesota 4-1 within the Twins’ first go to to Atlanta in seven years.

Before the homer, Ozuna was 2 for 12 – sure, with 5 strikeouts – in opposition to Gray.

Ronald Acuña Jr. added a two-run homer in a three-run seventh. In the matchup of first-place groups within the NL East and AL Central, the Braves received for the eleventh time in 12 video games.

Minnesota performed its first sport at Truist Park, which opened in 2017, a yr after the Twins visited Turner Field.

PHOTOS: Ozuna, Acuña hit homers to again Strider’s 10 strikeouts as Braves high Twins, 4-1

Joey Gallo’s thirteenth homer gave the Twins a 1-0 lead within the second. Strider gave up a third-inning single to Alex Kirilloff after which bought 13 consecutive outs earlier than strolling Gallo with two outs within the seventh. Strider struck out Kyle Farmer to finish the inning.

Strider (9-2) received his fifth consecutive choice, reaching double-digit strikeouts for the eleventh time in 36 begins, together with 5 this season. He has allowed one run in every of his final two begins after giving up a mixed 13 runs in back-to-back video games.

“It’s baseball, you play any game long enough you’re going to have bad games,” Strider stated. “I try not to get too high or too low. It’s too early in the season.”

Before Ozuna’s homer, the one run allowed by Gray (4-2) got here within the fourth, when Austin Riley singled, took third on Matt Olson’s single and scored when Travis d’Arnaud grounded right into a forceout.

“It was back and forth from the pitchers inning after inning,” stated Twins supervisor Rocco Baldelli. “Sonny was fantastic. Sonny was just – he was great.”

With two outs within the seventh, Gray gave up an infield single to Michael Harris II and Acuña adopted with a 432-foot drive to left off Emilio Pagán for a three-run lead.

“I knew they’re playing really, really well right now and they’re swinging the bats well,” Gray stated. “They’re a good team. I was more focused on that knowing that Strider is also a very, very good pitcher as well.”

SAVE FOR YATES

Kirby Yates pitched the ninth for his first save since Aug. 7, 2020 with San Diego in opposition to Arizona. Yates struck out Gallo and pinch-hitter Byron Buxton for the ultimate outs. The Braves rested nearer Raisel Iglesias, who pitched back-to-back wins in Cincinnati final weekend.

ROSTER MOVES

Before the sport, the Braves optioned right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett and recalled right-hander Dereck Rodríguez from Gwinnett for bullpen depth. Smith-Shawver (1-0, 4.32 in 4 video games, together with three begins) had been on schedule to start out Wednesday however the Braves might recall right-hander Michael Soroka from Gwinnett.

SUCCESS AGAINST CENTRAL TEAMS

The Braves, coming off two wins in a three-game collection in opposition to NL Central-leading Cincinnati, improved to 14-2 in opposition to groups from the AL and NL Central Divisions. That features a 6-1 mark in opposition to AL Central groups.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: RHP José De León will want a second Tommy John surgical procedure on his proper elbow. De León was positioned on the 15-day injured record on Sunday after hurting his elbow whereas warming up a day earlier. Minnesota recalled RHP Josh Winder from Triple-A St. Paul. … 2B Jorge Polanco (left knee irritation) has began baseball actions, together with taking grounders and hitting in a cage.

Braves: Manager Brian Snitker stated LHP Max Fried (strained left forearm) is “just continuing the process” by throwing his third bullpen session earlier than the sport. The Braves hope Fried, who has been on the injured record since May 7, can return in late July.

UP NEXT