Wright fans 11, Olson drives in 2 as Braves beat Marlins 3-0
ATLANTA (AP) — Kyle Wright had a career-high 11 strikeouts in six dominant innings, Matt Olson doubled in two runs and the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 3-0 on Friday night.
Wright (2-0) allowed four hits with one walk. The right-hander has a 1.06 ERA after three starts. He set a career high in strikeouts for the second straight start, topping nine in five innings at San Diego on April 15.
The Braves led 1-0 before Olson's seventh-inning double down the right field line off Richard Bleier drove in Dansby Swanson and Eddie Rosario. Rosario reached as a pinch-hitter on Brian Anderson's fielding error.
Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his fourth save in four chances.
Wright kept Miami hitters off balance by mixing his pitches. Jazz Chisholm fanned on a 96 mph fastball to lead off the game then struck out — again swinging — on curveballs in the third and sixth innings.
Wright struck out the side in the first and fourth innings.
Trevor Rogers (0-3) allowed one unearned run on four hits in five innings. The left-hander regrouped after lasting only 1 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs, in a 10-2 loss to Philadelphia on April 16.
Rogers threw 33 pitches in the first inning and allowed an unearned run following his errant pickoff throw to second base. The ball skipped into center field, allowing Olson to advance to third.
Olson scored when Marcell Ozuna beat out a fielder's choice grounder. Miami unsuccessfully challenged the close play at first base.
Wright retired 11 consecutive batters before hitting Garrett Cooper with a one-out fastball in the sixth. Jorge Soler's soft single to shallow center field moved Cooper to third base. Wright's two-out walk to Jesús Sánchez loaded the bases.
Braves manager Brian Snitker visited the mound but following a discussion decided to leave Wright in the game. Snitker's faith in Wright was rewarded when Avisaíl García ended the inning on a grounder to the mound.
Wright was greeted in the dugout by high-fives from his teammates and a slap on his back from Snitker.
HERO'S WELCOME
The MVP of Atlanta's World Series win over the Houston Astros last season, Soler lifted his helmet in appreciation of a first-inning ovation from fans in his return to Atlanta, then singled up the middle for his first of two hits.
Soler will be presented his World Series ring before Saturday night's game.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Marlins: RHP Dylan Floro (right rotator cuff tendinitis) will begin his rehab assignment with Class A Jupiter on Saturday. Manager Don Mattingly said the training staff believes Floro has moved past his injury and is “getting close.” ... RHP Edward Cabrera (biceps) threw 40 pitches in three innings at Jupiter on Thursday.
Braves: With OF Eddie Rosario hitting .081 (3 for 37) and without a hit in seven at-bats against left-handers, Travis Demeritte was given the start in right field against the left-handed Rogers. Snitker said he doesn't expect to hold out Rosario against all left-handers. “When he gets it going, he's going to hit lefties,” Snitker said. ... OF Adam Duvall did not start while attending to a family illness.
UP NEXT
Miami's Eliser Hernandez (1-1, 4.22) will face Atlanta's Ian Anderson (1-1, 6.48) in a matchup of right-handers as the three-game series continues on Saturday night.
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