Max Fried dominates for wild card-contending Braves in 3-1 win over Blue Jays
Max Fried pitched seven strong innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Friday night.
Atlanta remained tied with the Mets for the final NL wild-card spot as New York beat Cincinnati 6-4.
“All I think about is that we need to win tomorrow,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “The most important thing we are going to do is play tomorrow’s game. We have to take each and every day separately and do it again the next day.”
Fried (9-8) had command of the plate all night, striking out eight and allowing just five hits. Toronto's lone run was unearned, coming in the third inning on an Atlanta error.
"I think I’ve just been building off each of my last couple of outings,” Fried said. “I’ve been able to command the ball a lot better and I’ve been putting my fastballs in areas where I’m not getting beat too bad.”
It marked the 25th straight game Atlanta pitchers have allowed three runs or fewer, the longest such streak in baseball this season and the longest in Braves franchise history.
“It’s not surprising knowing the group that we have,” Fried said. “Every night, each of our starters are confident that we can go out there and win a game and go deep into the game.”
Raisel Iglesias pitched out of trouble in the ninth for his 31st save in 34 opportunities, extending his scoreless streak to 24 1/3 innings.
“He (Iglesias) is about as good as I've been around,” Snitker said. “In my tenure here, we've had some really good, Hall-of-Fame quality closers, and he's right there with all of those guys what he is doing right now.”
The Braves got out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning and never looked back. Jarred Kelenic, Gio Urshela and Michael Harris II had RBI singles.
This was Atlanta's first win against Toronto since Aug. 6, 2020. The Blue Jays previously held a nine-game winning streak against the Braves, including a sweep of Atlanta in 2021.
Toronto starter Kevin Gausman (12-11) gave up three runs and six hits in six innings while walking three and striking out five. Prior to the loss, Gausman held the mark for fourth lowest ERA on the road in the AL this season at 2.52.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., drove in Toronto's only run.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: INF Bo Bichette (calf strain) is set to join Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday for a rehab stint before returning to the Toronto lineup.
Braves: INF Whit Merrifield returned to the lineup Friday after missing two games due to a concussion from taking a pitch to the back of the head, but left the game early after fouling a ball off of his left foot.
UP NEXT
Braves rookie RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (5-6, 3.69) will start against Blue Jays RHP José Berríos (14-9, 3.59).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What we know about the reported suspect behind apparent Trump assassination attempt
A gunman attempted to assassinate Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Sunday at Trump's golf course in Palm Beach, Florida, authorities said.
BREAKING Former prominent BBC news anchor gets suspended sentence for indecent images of children on phone
Former BBC news anchor Huw Edwards, once one of the most prominent media figures in Britain, was given a suspended prison sentence Monday for indecent images of children on his phone.
NEW MPs return to the House of Commons for what's set to be dynamic fall sitting
The fall sitting of Parliament begins Monday, as members of Parliament resume their work in the House of Commons for the first time since June.
Tito Jackson's family says the Jackson 5 member has died at 70
Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5, has died at age 70.
Papua New Guinea violence leaves between 20 and 50 people dead, UN official says
Violence among illegal miners in Papua New Guinea has left between 20 and 50 people dead, a United Nations official said Monday.
NEW Taylor Swift, Hulk Hogan, George Clooney: Which celebrities have endorsed Kamala Harris and Donald Trump for U.S. president
More high-profile names in Hollywood and the entertainment world are offering their support for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. Here's a look at who has endorsed who.
'Shogun' and 'Hacks' win top series Emmy Awards and 'The Bear' and 'Baby Reindeer' take 4 apiece
'Shogun,' 'The Bear' and 'Baby Reindeer' at the topo of the queue as the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards arrive on Sunday.
B.C. to open 'highly secure' involuntary care facilities
B.C. will be opening “highly secure facilities” for people with addiction and mental health issues in the province, officials said Sunday.
Greater Sudbury resident dies in 5-vehicle crash involving 3 motorcycles near Port Dover
A person from Greater Sudbury died and two other individuals were transported to hospital after a five-vehicle crash near Port Dover, Ont., late Saturday afternoon.