ATLANTA (AP) — Zach Neto had three hits, including a homer, Nolan Schanuel added a two-run blast and José Soriano allowed only three hits in seven scoreless innings to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 5-1 victory over the weak-hitting Atlanta Braves on Thursday night.
The Braves avoided a shutout on Jurickson Profar’s ninth-inning homer off left-hander Brock Burke. It was Profar’s second homer in two games since returning from an 80-game PED suspension.
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Soriano (6-5) had seven strikeouts and did not allow a baserunner to reach second base. Neto scored three runs.
Bryce Elder (2-6) gave up four runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings. Elder’s third consecutive loss is a disturbing trend for a team that placed right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach on the 15-day injured list with a fractured right elbow on Wednesday.
The rotation previously lost Chris Sale (broken rib), AJ Smith-Shawver (Tommy John surgery) and Reynaldo López (shoulder surgery) to injuries. Manager Brian Snitker said he may use a bullpen game Saturday in the second game of a series against Baltimore.
Key moment
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After allowing 10 runs, nine earned, and three homers in only two innings in a 13-0 loss to Philadelphia on Friday night, Elder gave up two more homers. Schanuel’s two-run shot in the second drove in Neto, who doubled.
Key stats
Matt Olson’s first-inning single to right field extended his streak of reaching base to 33 games, the majors’ longest active streak. Jo Adell’s first-inning single extended his hitting streak to 14 games, the Angels’ longest this season.
Up next
The Angels open a series at Toronto on Friday night when RHP Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.66 ERA) faces Blue Jays LHP Eric Lauer (4-1, 2.60).
Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (3-6, 3.86) will face former Atlanta right-hander Charlie Morton (4-7, 5.63) in the home series opener against the Orioles.
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