ATLANTA—Sean Murphy drove in the go-ahead run with a bloop double in the seventh inning and the Atlanta Braves limited the Oakland Athletics to two hits Sunday in a 3–1 victory.
Charlie Morton allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings, but he ended up with a no-decision when the A’s tied the game in the top of the seventh inning on a home run by Zack Gelof.
Murphy’s double down the right-field line knocked in Adam Duval for what proved to be the winning run and allowed the Braves to win two of three games in the series, though they finished a seven-game homestand at 3–4.
“I look at it individually and see some positives offensively with guys, which is what we’ve been trying to do,” Braves Manager Brian Snitker said. “We’ve been playing good baseball. We just haven’t hit, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel for a bunch of guys.”
Morton had his best start of the season, striking out six, walking five, and hitting a batter. He did not allow an A’s runner past second base.
“I had really good command of the zone for the most part,” Morton said. “If you are not giving up a ton of hard-hit balls, you can afford to try to make pitches. That’s basically what we did today.”
Luis Medina was stellar for the A’s in his first start of the season, lasting 5 2/3 innings and surrendering just one unearned run on two hits. He struck out six and walked two. Medina started the season on the injured list with a sprained right knee. He made three minor-league appearances before starting Sunday.
“It was a great outing for Medina,” A’s Manager Mark Kotsay said. “Really, going out for the first time, and to be able to command his pitches, he looked great out there. He looked comfortable. We thought he would go four innings or so, but for him to get into the sixth and execute the game plan, it was really nice to see.”
Murphy’s shallow fly ball in the seventh landed just fair between right fielder Seth Brown, first baseman J.D. Davis, and second baseman Gelof. Adam Duvall scored from third on the play. Murphy was 2-for-18 since returning from the injured list prior to that at-bat.
The Braves added an insurance run in the eighth when Ozzie Albies knocked in pinch runner J.P. Martinez with an RBI single.
The Braves were 13–14 in May and have split their first two games of June.
“We don’t feel like everything is clicking,” Morton said. “I’ve been on teams where I’ve sensed we were in trouble. I don’t feel like that’s a [locker] room that’s going to allow that to happen. The quality of people in there is just too good.”
Braves reliever Dylan Lee allowed a long home run to Gelof, his fourth of the season, leading off the seventh inning, but Joe Jimenez and Raisel Iglesias each pitched a scoreless inning. Lee (2–1) picked up the win and Iglesias earned his 15th save.
Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna went 1-for-3 with a double and reached base for the 26th consecutive game. The Braves scored in the first inning courtesy of a two-out walk to Ozuna, a passed ball by catcher Kyle McCann, and an RBI single by Matt Olson.
Roster Moves
Athletics: To make room for Medina, the A’s designated right-hander Aaron Brooks for assignment. Brooks started Saturday’s 11–9 win over the Braves and was 0–2 with a 5.82 earned-run average in four starts this season.Up Next
Athletics: Right-hander Mitch Spence (4–2, 3.52) is scheduled to start the opener of a three-game series against American League West-leading Seattle on Tuesday. Right-hander George Kirby (4–5, 4.08) is set to pitch for the visiting Mariners.Braves: Left-hander Max Fried (5–2, 2.97) and Boston righty Kutter Crawford (2–4, 3.29) are the scheduled starters in Tuesday’s opener of a two-game set at Fenway Park.
