Hurston Waldrep Shines as Braves Shut Out Guardians 2-0
CLEVELAND (AP) — Hurston Waldrep delivered six scoreless innings in a combined two-hitter, while Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Michael Harris II each drove in a run to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 2-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night.
Waldrep (3-0) allowed only two hits — both from Steven Kwan — matching his longest outing of the season. The right-hander struck out a career-best seven batters and walked two before turning the ball over to Daysbel Hernandez and Tyler Kinley. Raisel Iglesias closed the ninth for his 18th save in 23 chances, securing Atlanta’s third consecutive victory.
The Guardians, shut out for the 12th time this year, slipped one game behind the Yankees in the race for the final American League wild-card spot.
Alvarez worked a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning off Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo (3-3), bringing in Ozzie Albies. In the ninth, Harris singled home pinch-runner Eli White against Carlos Hernández.
Ronald Acuña Jr. returned to the Braves lineup after missing 15 games with a right calf strain. The 2023 NL MVP went 0-for-3 with a walk and was called out for baserunner interference in the fourth inning.
Key Moment: Alvarez’s bases-loaded walk came immediately after a fan ran onto the field, delaying play until security escorted him off.
Key Stat: Waldrep, a 2023 first-round pick, had a rocky debut last season (0-1, 16.71 ERA in two starts). This year, he has impressed with a 1.02 ERA over three appearances, allowing just two runs in 17 2/3 innings.
Next Up: Atlanta’s Joey Wentz (3-3, 5.03 ERA) faces Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi (5-5, 4.11 ERA) in the second game of the series.
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