Acuña, Albies, Baldwin hit late 2-run homers that lift Braves over Cubs 6-3
Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Drake Baldwin each hit crucial, two-run home runs in the late innings, propelling the Atlanta Braves to a 6-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. The Atlanta team, leading the NL East, extended their lead to a formidable 5-1/2 games over second-place Philadelphia. Cubs starter Kevin Gausman held his first 18 batters scoreless, but Acuña answered with a homer in the sixth inning, bringing the Braves to within a single run.
Albies added to the Braves' rally with a homer in the seventh, his eighth at Wrigley Field, while Drake Baldwin closed out the game with a home run in the ninth. Martín Pérez pitched six strong innings for Atlanta, while Raisel Iglesias secured the win with a perfect ninth inning, his 33rd save. Pitcher Pedro Ramirez contributed with a run-scoring single in the second inning, and errors by shortstop Maurico Dubón and center fielder Miguel Amaya provided additional opportunities for the Braves.
The Cubs, currently sitting at 84-68, held a slim half-game lead over Philadelphia in the NL Central standings.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
