Josh Naylor doubled home the go-ahead run and pinch-hitter Ramon Laureano added a sacrifice fly in the 11th inning to help the visiting Cleveland Guardians defeat the Atlanta Braves 4-2 on Saturday, ending Atlanta’s four-game winning streak.
Scott Barlow (2-2) held the Braves scoreless in the bottom of the 10th inning and Nick Sandlin came in in the 11th to get the save and square the three-game series at one game apiece. The losing pitcher was Dylan Lee (0-1).
The Braves wasted their best chance in the 10th inning when they loaded the bases and could not score.
Neither starting pitcher figured in the decision despite each pitching seven scoreless innings. Cleveland’s Tyler Bibee allowed two hits, no walks and matched his career high with nine strikeouts. Atlanta’s Charlie Morton went a season-long seven innings, gave up four hits, one walk and struck out six.
The Guardians had a chance but came up empty in the sixth. With Jose Ramirez at first, Naylor lined a double to right field where Ronald Acuna Jr. fielded and fired to cutoff man Matt Olson, who threw to catcher Travis d’Arnaud for the successful tag at the plate.
The Guardians scored two runs in the eighth against reliever Joe Jimenez without getting the ball out of the infield. With the bases loaded and one out, Ramirez hit a ground ball that could not be turned into a double play, allowing Gabriel Arias to score. It was the team-leading 24th RBI for Ramirez.
With runners on the corners, Ramirez stole second, with Steven Kwan scoring on the front end of the double steal.
The Braves tied the game by scoring twice in the bottom of the eighth against reliever Hunter Gaddis, who allowed his first runs of the season. D’Arnaud doubled home a run and Jarred Kelenic roped an RBI single to center field, but center fielder Tyler Freeman was able to throw out pinch-runner Luke Williams trying to score from third.
