ATLANTA (AP) — Ian Anderson dazzled in one other shutout efficiency for Atlanta, and the Braves received a playoff collection for the primary time in nearly 20 years by sweeping the light-hitting Cincinnati Reds with a 5-Zero victory Thursday.

Ronald Acuna Jr. had three hits for the NL East champions, together with a run-scoring double within the fifth. After profitable Wednesday’s collection opener 1-Zero in 13 innings, Atlanta broke open Sport 2 on two-run homers by Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall off Raisel Iglesias within the eighth.

Anderson struck out 9 in six innings because the Braves snapped their record-tying string of losses in 10 consecutive postseason rounds since their final playoff collection win in 2001. Atlanta will face Miami or the Chicago Cubs within the NL Division Sequence in Houston.

Similar to in 2001, when Corridor of Famers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz helped cleared the path, Atlanta’s pitching workers delivered.

The 22-year-old Anderson allowed two hits and walked two in his playoff debut after six regular-season begins. Will Smith, Chris Martin and Mark Melancon every threw one good inning.

Cincinnati wasted a stable efficiency by Luis Castillo, who struck out seven in 5 1/three innings in his first postseason begin. Trevor Bauer struck out 12 in 7 2/three scoreless innings within the Reds’ Sport 1 loss.

Atlanta jumped in entrance within the fifth. With two outs, Austin Riley took off from first base on a pitch Acuna lined into the hole in left heart. Riley scored simply and Acuna stood on second base, pumping each fists within the air in celebration.

Cincinnati left 13 runners on base Wednesday, and its scoring frustrations continued.

Anderson’s second stroll of the second, to Freddy Galvis, loaded the bases with two outs. Tucker Barnhart’s groundout to second base ended the inning.

The Braves had been 0-7 of their final seven potential clinching video games within the postseason, together with 0-2 of their NL division collection loss to St. Louis final yr.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Story continues

Reds: C Curt Casali, who usually begins with Castillo, was held out resulting from a sore wrist earlier than getting into the sport within the eighth. Barnhart, who has break up enjoying time with Casali, was the beginning catcher.

Braves: After sitting out the ultimate two regular-season video games with a sore quadriceps, Riley had no setback within the collection opener. That does not imply Riley is totally recovered. ”I believe he is sore,” supervisor Brian Snitker stated. ”I do not suppose that is one thing that’s simply going to go away. … He is simply going to must handle it. I believe he’ll be all proper. He simply must be cautious out of the field and on sure performs.”

UP NEXT

Reds: Will play the Cleveland Indians of their 2021 spring coaching opener on Feb. 27 in Goodyear, Ariz.

Braves: Will face Miami or the Chicago Cubs in Sport 1 of the NL division collection in Houston on Tuesday.

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