Jarred Kelenic smacked a home run, and a collective effort from six Atlanta pitchers held the Chicago Cubs to just four hits, securing a 3-0 victory for the visiting Braves in the decisive game of their three-game series on Thursday afternoon.
Contributions came from various Braves players, with Chadwick Tromp delivering two hits and scoring a run, while Ozzie Albies managed a 1-for-3 performance with a walk, a stolen base, and an RBI. Atlanta claimed its third win in the last four games.
Highly touted pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver showcased his talent in his season debut, allowing only three hits across 4 1/3 scoreless innings. Dylan Lee (1-1) took over and secured the win with a hitless inning of relief. Raisel Iglesias closed out the game with a flawless ninth inning, striking out two batters to earn his 12th save of the season.
Chicago’s offense struggled once again, with Seiya Suzuki recording two hits and Ian Happ managing a double and a stolen base. Despite their efforts, the Cubs suffered their seventh loss in ten games, scoring only 23 runs during that stretch. Hayden Wesneski (2-3) was charged with the loss after allowing one run on one hit in 1 2/3 innings while striking out two batters.
Atlanta grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning when Jarred Kelenic blasted his third home run of the season, a 401-foot shot to right field, marking the first home run surrendered by Wesneski in 31 innings this season.
The Braves added to their lead in the eighth inning with two runs against Kyle Hendricks, who was making just his second relief appearance of his career. Chadwick Tromp kickstarted the rally with a leadoff single, followed by a walk to pinch hitter Adam Duvall. Ozzie Albies then singled to bring Tromp home, and Marcell Ozuna’s sacrifice fly brought Duvall across the plate.
Rookie Ben Brown stepped into the starting rotation in place of the struggling Hendricks, who entered the game with an 0-4 record and a 10.57 ERA. Brown impressed by allowing only one hit over four innings, walking two and striking out six. Hendricks endured a tough outing, conceding two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out one in two innings of relief.