Max Fried allowed three hits over six scoreless innings and the Braves mustered enough timely hitting for a 3-0 victory over the host Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, sending the National League Division Series to Atlanta tied at a game apiece.
Fried was in control throughout, yielding singles in the second and fourth, and a two-out double to Willy Adames in the sixth. Fried, who won his last seven decisions to finish 14-7, struck out nine with no walks.
Milwaukee had two runners in the each of the three final innings but failed to convert.
Atlanta, whose only run in Friday’s 2-1 opening loss came on Joc Pederson’s pinch-hit homer in the eighth, bunched three consecutive hits for two runs in the third inning off Brandon Woodruff.
Jorge Soler doubled with one out and Freddie Freeman followed with an RBI single to right. Ozzie Albies then doubled off the top of the wall in right.
Austin Riley, who had 33 homers during the regular season, put the Braves up 3-0 with a 428-foot solo homer to right-center with one out in the sixth.
The Brewers threatened in the seventh when Luis Urias singled with two outs and Lorenzo Cain walked, but Tyler Matzek relieved and struck out pinch-hitter Tyrone Taylor.
Jace Peterson walked and Kolten Wong singled to open the Brewers eighth, but Matzek retired the next three.
Will Smith, who converted 37 of 43 save opportunities this season, allowed a walk and single to open the ninth, but got a fly out and double play for the save.
Milwaukee again offered little support for Woodruff, who was 9-10 despite a 2.56 ERA that was fourth-best in the majors. Woodruff allowed three runs on five hits in six innings, striking out seven and walking one.
Rowdy Tellez’s two-run homer Friday accounted for the only Brewers runs in the two games.
The series resumes Monday in Atlanta. Right-hander Ian Anderson (9-5, 3.58 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Braves, while Milwaukee has not named a starter. Right-hander Freddy Peralta (10-5, 2.81 ERA) has been the Brewers usual third starter.
–Field Level Media