Ronald Acuna Jr.’s 100th homer is winner for Braves over Cards

Ronald Acuna Jr. hit the 100th home run of his four-year career and Drew Smyly carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and the Atlanta Braves defeated the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 1-0 to earn a split of their doubleheader on Sunday.

Acuna’s home run landed in the first row of the stands in left-center field with one out in the third inning. It was his 19th of the season and made him the sixth-quickest player in major league history to get to 100, reaching the milestone in his 378th game.

It was Ronald Acuna Jr. first home run since June 8 against Philadelphia, a stretch of 10 games.

Smyly didn’t allow a hit until Paul Goldschmidt legged out an infield hit with two outs in the sixth inning, just beating the throw from Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies.

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Smyly, who had thrown 85 pitches, was immediately lifted in favor of reliever Luke Jackson. The right-hander gave up a sharp single to Nolan Arenado that third baseman Austin Riley knocked down to prevent a possible run-scoring double. Jackson then struck out Tyler O’Neill to end the inning.

Will Smith pitched the seventh inning and to close out the game and earned his 13th save. Smith struck out the side and fanned Andrew Knizner to end the game. Ronald Acuna Jr.

In 5 2/3 innings, Smyly (4-3) allowed one hit, three walks and struck out five to earn his first career win against St. Louis. It was his first scoreless outing in 12 starts this season.

St. Louis starter Kwang Hyun Kim (1-5) pitched well in the loss. He worked four innings and allowed one run on three hits and a walk, and he struck out two. Ronald Acuna Jr.

St. Louis won the first game 9-1 when Adam Wainwright limited the Braves to three hits and struck out 11 for his 10th career victory against Atlanta.

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Atlanta won three of four games in the weekend series. The clubs don’t meet again until Aug. 3-5 in St. Louis.

–Field Level Media