Third Loss in a Row for Blue Jays, as Olson Homer Lifts Braves to 4-3
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By Doug Hirdle
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- Proof-checked
Summary:
- Matt Olson’s go-ahead homer in the sixth inning proved to be the difference for Atlanta.
- Bryce Elder rebounded from a difficult outing to earn his fifth win of the season.
- Toronto has now lost three straight despite another solid start from Kevin Gausman.
The Atlanta Braves continued their impressive run on Tuesday night, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 behind a clutch home run from Matt Olson and a strong bounce back performance from starting pitcher Bryce Elder.
Fast Start for Atlanta, Toronto Responded in Second Inning
With the game tied 3-3 in the sixth inning, Matt Olson stepped up and launched a towering drive that just cleared the wall in right field. The blast, his 17th home run of the season, gave Atlanta a lead it would not surrender.
The victory improved the Braves’ record to 41-20, the best mark in Major League Baseball.
Atlanta got off to a fast start in the opening inning, when Ronald Acuña Jr. drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a double by Michael Harris II. Harris eventually came home on a sacrifice fly from Ozzie Albies, giving the Braves an early two run advantage.
Toronto responded in the second inning when Kazuma Okamoto connected for a two run homer, his 13th of the season, tying the game at 2-2.
The Braves regained the lead in the third after Albies delivered an RBI single, but the Blue Jays battled back again in the sixth. Daulton Varsho tied the contest with a sacrifice fly before Olson answered moments later with the decisive home run.
Gausman Took the Loss for the Jays
Bryce Elder earned the win after he allowed three runs on six hits across 6 2/3 innings, a major improvement compared to his previous start against Boston, when he surrendered six runs in just over three innings.
Kevin Gausman took the loss for Toronto despite another quality effort. The veteran right-hander struck out eight and allowed four runs on five hits over six innings. It was the 12th time in his last 13 starts that he pitched at least five innings.
Atlanta’s bullpen closed the door from there, and Robert Suarez recorded the final out of the seventh inning and worked a scoreless eighth before Raisel Iglesias navigated around two hits in the ninth to secure his 11th save in 11 opportunities.
The series continues Wednesday with Atlanta set to start Grant Holmes against Toronto left hander Patrick Corbin.
Doug Hirdle
Author
betting.ca
