Braves use explosive offense to beat Guardians in clash of MLB titans

This weekend's series between the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Guardians features the top team in both the American and National Leagues, but it was the home team that came out swinging in Friday night's heavyweight battle.

Led by MLB RBI leader Marcell Ozuna and veteran pitcher Chris Sale, the Braves took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning and never looked back, holding on for a 6-2 win that marks Atlanta's 18th victory of the season.

The aforementioned Sale was fantastic on Friday night, retiring 17 straight batters from the top of the second to the top of the seventh. The only run Sale gave up was a leadoff home run from Steven Kwan, and it was one of two total hits the southpaw would allow in Friday night's contest.

While Atlanta's offense was held scoreless through the first three frames, it came alive in the fourth, with a screaming two-run double off the bat of Marcell Ozuna giving the Braves their first lead of the evening.

A Michael Harris ll single would then score Ozuna, with the Braves plating three runs in the fourth inning. After adding one run each in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, Orlando Arcia put the icing on the cake with a solo shot in the eighth.

After a rocky outing on the mound from Tyler Matzek, A.J. Minter came in the close the game for the Braves, getting the final couple of outs and grabbing a series-opening win for Atlanta.

The Braves improved to 18-6 with the victory and currently sit three games ahead of the 16-10 Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.

First pitch for Game 2 of the Braves-Guardians series is set for 7:20 p.m. ET Saturday at Truist Park.