Hurston Waldrep leads combined 2-hitter, Braves top Guardians 2-0
CLEVELAND — Hurston Waldrep fired six shutout innings in a combined two-hitter, while Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Michael Harris each delivered an RBI to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 2-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians Friday night.
Waldrep, now 3-0, gave up a pair of hits to Steven Kwan for the Guardians’ only hits of the night. The rookie right-hander struck out a career-best seven batters and issued two walks before handing things over to the Braves bullpen.
Since making his season debut on a late call at the MLB Speedway Classic in Bristol, Tenn., Waldrep has allowed just two earned runs in 17 2/3 innings of work.
Raisel Iglesias closed out the ninth for his 18th save in 23 tries, securing the Braves’ third consecutive win.
Alvarez drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth off Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo (3-3), scoring Ozzie Albies. Harris singled home pinch-runner Eli White for an insurance run in the ninth against Carlos Hernández.
Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. returned after missing 15 games with a right calf strain, going 0 for 3 with a walk. The former NL MVP, who had been sidelined since July 30, was also called out for baserunner interference in the fourth.
Key moment
Cantillo threw ball four to Alvarez in the fourth just after a fan ran onto the field. It required two security guards and a member of the grounds crew to remove him.
Key stat
Waldrep made his major league debut last season with the Braves and went 0-1 with a 16.71 ERA in two games, both starts. The 2023 first-round pick has a 1.02 ERA in three appearances this year, giving up two runs in 17 2/3 innings. Up next, Braves LHP Joey Wentz (3-3, 5.03 ERA) takes on Guardians RHP Slade Cecconi (5-5, 4.11 ERA) in the second game of the series.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this article.
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