By: Bryce Mitchell
Game one of the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins top-team matchup ended with the Braves on top; winning 4-1. Atlanta is the top dog in the NL East while Minnesota is at the top of the AL Central Division.
Strider, Ozuna and Acuña keep Atlanta on power trip
The Twins put the first numbers on the board with a Joey Gallo homer to center. Although leading 1-0, the Twins fell behind as Spencer Strider took control from the mound.
The Braves pitcher gave up a single in the third but then got 13 consecutive outs until walking Gallo in the seventh.
Strider only allowed three hits in seven innings and racked 10 strikeouts. This was the 11th time Strider reached double-digit strikeouts in 36 starts. Strider is now 9-2.
Strider didn’t win the game alone, and was assisted with an offense that kicked into gear in the fourth frame.
Minnesota pitcher Sonny Gray’s only allowed run was in the fourth when Austin Riley singled, then took third on a Matt Olsen single. Riley reached home plate when Travis d’Arnaud grounded into a forceout.
The game stayed tied 1-1 for two and a half innings, until Marcell Ozuna homered to right center. However, Gray didn’t make it easy for Ozuna. Before the homer, Ozuna was two for 12 with five strikeouts against the Minnesota pitcher.
With a pitch relief for Minnesota towards the end of the seventh, Ronald Acuña Jr. gave the Braves a cushion with a two-run homer.
Twins’ first trip to Truist
Monday night was the Twins’ first trip to Atlanta in seven years. Truist Park opened in 2017, a year after Minnesota visited the Braves’ previous stadium, Turner Field.
The Braves have now improved 14-2 against AL and NL Central Divisions. They are also coming off two wins in a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds, who lead the NL Central.
Up next: game two
RHP Bryce Elder (5-1) starts on Tuesday night for game two against the Twins’ Joe Ryan (8-4).
Coverage begins at 7:05 p.m. on 730 The Game.
