The Atlanta Braves have won the World Series, defeating the Houston Astros in Game 6, 7-0, to claim their first championship since 1995.
Deadlocked for two innings, Atlanta’s offence came alive in the third with a three-run black from Jorge Soler, establishing a 3-0 lead.
There was a full count when Soler connected on his third home run of the series to give the Braves the lead. The soaring 446-foot shot that sailed over the wall in left field brought eight of his teammates out of the dugout to celebrate as he rounded the bases.
Houston manager Dusty Baker shook his head as he watched the Braves take another huge early lead. The Astros fell behind 4-0 after a grand slam by Adam Duvall in the first inning of Game 5 before rallying for the 9-5 win.
But on Tuesday, Atlanta starting pitcher Max Fried stifled Houston, retiring 17 straight batters before Michael Brantley reached on an infield single with two outs in the sixth.
It marked Fried’s ninth career post-season start for the Braves. Only Tom Glavine (32), John Smoltz (27), Greg Maddux (27) and Steve Avery (12) have more.
The Braves would give Fried even more support in the fifth inning, though.
After Ozzie Albies drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Cristian Javier that sailed way up and over the glove of catcher Martin Maldonado, Dansby Swanson took to the plate, launching a two-run homer that gave Atlanta a 6-0 lead — and dramatically better chances of clinching the series.
The lead would become even more insurmountable in the seventh, when a solo home run from Freddie Freeman made it 7-0, a lead Atlanta would not relinquish.
More to come…
