Any questions about how the Atlanta Braves would fare against the elite American League were answered Monday night when they defeated the Texas Rangers 12-0.
Monday’s game was a matchup between the division leaders, as the Braves lead the NL East and the Rangers currently sit atop the AL West.
«It was a great win. We let one get away from us (Sunday),» Braves manager Brian Snitker said after the game. «It was great to go out there and hit.»
With the win, the Braves snapped their first five-game losing streak since September 2017.
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Atlanta Braves batter Ronald Acuna Jr. jogs the bases after hitting a home run in the top of the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Monday, May 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Atlanta started the game red hot and never looked back.
Kevin Pillar and Ronald Acuña Jr. each hit a two-run homer in the second inning, then Marcell Ozuna, Orlando Arcia and Austin Riley further pushed the Braves’ lead with two-run homers in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings. .
Pillar’s home run was his second in two days and third in four games. The scores continue to show good results in the month of May, as he hit a fourth home run earlier in the month.
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Arcia homered in the sixth and Riley in the seventh, both off reliever Cole Ragans.
Ozuna’s drive came in the ninth off Rangers reserve catcher Sandy León, who was making his eighth career pitching appearance.
Orlando Arcia of the Atlanta Braves, left, slides home safely when Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim, right, attempts a bunt in the top of the fifth inning of a game baseball in Arlington, Texas on Monday, May 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the fifth.
The Braves also looked impressive on the mound, with Charlie Morton striking out a season-high 10 batters.
«Charlie was amazing,» Snitker said.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Charlie Morton throws during the bottom of the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas on Monday, May 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
He limited the Rangers to just seven singles and a walk over 6 2/3 innings to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season.
The double-digit shutout botched the major league debut of Rangers pitcher Cody Bradford, a 2019 draft pick out of Baylor University.
Texas Rangers pitcher Cody Bradford walks to the dugout after the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Arlington, Texas on Monday, May 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Bradford was called up from Triple-A Round Rock for his major league debut. The 25-year-old left-hander from Aledo, Texas, allowed six runs and seven hits. He also allowed two walks in five innings.
«Obviously, it’s not how anyone draws their debut, but I was blessed with an incredible opportunity to pitch at home in front of a lot of friends and family,» Bradford said. «The Braves did a good job hitting pitches over the middle of the plate.»
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«It’s fair to say he made some mistakes, especially with his off-speed pitches,» Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. «We had problems to keep the ball in the stadium tonight. It is difficult to debut against this club.»
The Braves’ victory comes after Toronto swept them over the weekend, 0-3 on Friday, 2-5 on Saturday and 5-6 on Sunday.
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The Braves, who won the World Series in 2021, and the Rangers, who were World Series finalists in 2010 and 2011, will play their second game Tuesday at 8:05 p.m.
Associated Press contributed to this report.