Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin hit 2-run homers as Braves beat Twins 6-2 to complete a 3-game sweep
ATLANTA, GA — Matt Olson and rookie Drake Baldwin each launched two-run homers, Grant Holmes delivered a strong start, and the Atlanta Braves rolled to a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep at Truist Park.
Marcell Ozuna also went deep against Twins starter Joe Ryan (1-3), who struggled through five innings, giving up six runs on eight hits and a walk.
Byron Buxton provided a bright spot for Minnesota with two hits, including a solo homer off reliever Enyel De Los Santos.
Prior to this series, the Braves hadn’t won back-to-back games this season. The sweep coincided with Alex Verdugo’s first three games as Atlanta’s leadoff hitter and left fielder. Verdugo made an immediate impact, notching four hits—including a pair of doubles—on Saturday and driving in the game-winning run in a 4-3 victory. He added another hit in Sunday’s finale.
Holmes (2-1) impressed on the mound, going 5 2/3 innings while allowing just one run on four hits. He struck out seven and walked four.
Atlanta wasted no time jumping on Ryan, with Ozuna drawing a two-out walk in the first before Olson smashed his third homer of the year off the top of the center field wall. Baldwin followed with his two-run shot in the third inning. Remarkably, the Braves scored their first five runs of the game with two outs.
Up Next:
The Braves will turn to right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (1-1, 2.55 ERA) on Monday as they open a three-game set at home against the St. Louis Cardinals, who will counter with righty Erick Fedde (1-2, 3.43 ERA).
The Twins have Monday off before starting a home series against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Manager Rocco Baldelli said there’s a chance right-hander Pablo López (strained right hamstring) could return from the 15-day IL this week. López made a “solid outing” for Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, and Baldelli said the coaching staff will soon evaluate the rotation for the upcoming week.
