The Atlanta Braves defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-0 on Friday night for their third consecutive shutout, thanks to Spencer Strider’s 10 strikeouts and one hit allowed in seven innings of work. Three relievers also pitched in relief.
The Braves blanked an opponent in three straight games for the first time since the final three games of 2015 against St. Louis. In its last eight contests, Atlanta has five shutouts.
The major league-leading Braves moved to 79-42 as runs were driven in by Austin Riley, Michael Harris II, Matt Olson, Eddie Rosario, and Matt Olson. Harris, the National League Rookie of the Year from the previous year, went 4 for 5 with a double and a triple to up his average by eight points to.291.
The Rookie of the Year runner-up and first-time All-Star Strider (14-4) broke a tie with three other starters to grab the major league lead in victories. He had just won 6-0 against the New York Mets, allowing just three hits over seven innings.
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Strider increased his strikeout total to 227, which is 40 more than Toronto’s Kevin Gausman, who is currently second in the MLB. Strider, who regularly reached 98 and 99 mph with his four-seam fastball, struck out six batters in his first nine innings before walking LaMonte Wade Jr. to start the fourth. Two batters later, Wilmer Flores singled to get the game’s first hit.
San Francisco started the night 1 1/2 games ahead for an NL wild-card, but it has only won 10 of 27 games after managing only two hits after going 5 for 44 with runners in scoring position during a six-game homestand that concluded Wednesday. The Giants have lost 11 of their last 12 away games.
In three career starts versus the Braves, Alex Cobb (6-5) was 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA until giving up four runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Cobb has made four starts this month with a 7.59 ERA.
In the sixth, Harris’ single made it 4-0. When Harris tripled with two outs and scored on Riley’s double in the second, the Braves were up 3-0. With Rosario’s single and Olson’s fielder’s choice grounder, Atlanta led 2-0 after the first inning.
Dodgers’ relievers San Francisco was only allowed two baserunners thanks to the non-save pitching of Joe Jiménez, A.J. Minter, and closer Raisel Iglesias. In the ninth, Iglesias faced the bare minimum.
The first inning saw Marcell Ozuna, a designated hitter for the Braves, single to extend his hitting streak to 15 games.
QUICK CHANGE
RF Atlanta Before the top of the ninth, Ronald Acua Jr. had to change gloves. Before Acua had to switch gloves, the umpires gathered on the infield and spoke with manager Brian Snitker.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Bears: INF Mark Due to a sore right shoulder, Mathias had his minor league assignment reversed and was put on the major league 10-day injured list. When Mathias reported to Triple-A, he let the team know he was hurt.
Baseball: 2B Before the game, Ozzie Albies, who has missed the previous three games due to a strained left hamstring, ran around the field. The main goal, according to manager Brian Snitker, is to make improvement. … RHP “I know he’s going to be very diligent in his treatments and all that.” Nick Anderson, who has been out with a shoulder issue since July 8th, has begun throwing and sounds better than Snitker had anticipated. The group thinks he can come back the following month.
SPORTING THE LOOK
For the first time this year, Giants left fielder Joc Pederson donned a pearl necklace. After being acquired by Atlanta in a deal with the Chicago Cubs in 2021, the year he helped the Braves win the World Series, Pederson earned a reputation for donning pearls. He was 0-for-4.
SITTING IT OUT
Gabe Kapler, the manager of San Francisco, was removed from Tuesday’s home victory over Tampa Bay and received a one-game ban as a result. He missed the game to serve the penalty. Interim management is shared by pitching coach Andrew Bailey and bench coach Kai Correa.
UP NEXT
On Saturday, Giants RHP Logan Webb (9-9, 3.26 ERA) was scheduled to go up against RHP Yonny Chirinos (5-5, 5.22).