Markakis goes 5-for-5 as Braves sweep Cubs

[April 05, 2019]  Right fielder Nick Markakis drove in five runs to support the strong effort of starting pitcher Max Fried, and the Atlanta Braves rolled to a 9-4 win over the visiting Chicago Cubs, capping a three-game series sweep.

Markakis was 5-for-5 with three doubles and scored three runs to pace the 13-hit Atlanta attack. He matched his career high for hits and doubles in a game. Markakis raised his batting average to .375 from .211 when the day started and was 8-for-12 in the three-game series.

Fried (1-0) showed good command of his breaking pitches and limited the Cubs to only one hit -- a sixth-inning single by Mark Zagunis that spoiled a perfect game -- in six shutout innings. The left-hander struck out five and did not walk a batter. In 11 career innings against the Cubs, Fried has allowed only one run and five hits.

Atlanta's Shane Carle pitched two shutout innings, but Chad Sobotka could not close the deal in the ninth. Sobotka retired only one batter and surrendered a two-run homer to Anthony Rizzo, his second, and a solo shot to Javier Baez, his third.

Braves reliever A.J. Minter, who had been reinstated from the 10-day injured list earlier in the day, got the final two outs.

The losing pitcher was Yu Darvish (0-1), who allowed three runs in four innings. Darvish gave up five hits and four walks, striking out two. He was lifted after allowing the first two batters to reach in the fifth inning.

The game, played in rainy conditions most of the night, was the eighth straight home win for the Braves, dating back to 2018. It's the longest home winning streak since they won eight in a row at Turner Field in 2013. The Atlanta-era record is 12 in 2000.

Braves right fielder Nick Markakis (22) is greeted at the dugout after scoring against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs have lost five in a row.

The Braves scored their first run in the fourth inning. Markakis hit a one-out single and went to third when Ozzie Albies singled to right field. Markakis scored when Brian McCann singled over the head of right fielder Zagunis. Albies stayed at third but was later erased when he broke for the plate and was nabbed stealing.

The Braves struck for five runs in the fifth inning to take a commanding lead. The first run scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Markakis soon followed with a three-run double against reliever Carl Edwards Jr. and scored on Dansby Swanson's single.

Atlanta tacked on a run in the seventh on Brian McCann's sacrifice fly to center field. Albert Almora made a leaping grab to rob McCann of a homer, but Markakis easily scored from third.

Atlanta opens a three-game series against Miami on Friday. The Cubs continue their nine-game road trip to start the season with a three-game set at Milwaukee beginning Friday.

--Field Level Media

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