Braves stay hot to start second half, dominate White Sox 9-0

[July 15, 2023]  Matt Olson hit a first-inning grand slam and veteran Charlie Morton threw seven scoreless innings as the Atlanta Braves rolled to a 9-0 win over the visiting Chicago White Sox on Friday in the opener of their three-game set.
 
The Braves have won 13 of their last 15 games, while Chicago has lost six of its last seven. Atlanta improved to 7-0 at home all-time against the White Sox.  

Jul 14, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates with third baseman Austin Riley (27) after a grand slam against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

It was Olson's 30th home run and the seventh grand slam of his career. It also extended Atlanta's franchise record of 27 consecutive games with a homer.

Morton (10-6) allowed only three hits and one walk and fanned four to reach double-digit wins for the sixth time. It was the longest of four scoreless starts for Morton this season. He was helped by his infield defense, which turned three of their four inning-ending double plays on his behalf.

Relievers Ben Heller and Lucas Luetge each pitched a scoreless inning to finish the game and nail down the team's eighth shutout.

Chicago starter Michael Kopech (3-8) retired only two batters in his return from the injured list. The right-hander had not pitched since June 27 because of right shoulder inflammation. He allowed four runs on only one hit and four walks in failing to survive the first inning.

Kopech walked Ronald Acuna Jr. to open the game, hit Ozzie Albies with a pitch and walked Austin Riley to load the bases. Olson crushed the second pitch he saw 430 feet to right-center for the grand slam.

The White Sox got a bullpen-saving relief effort from former Braves pitcher Touki Toussaint. He followed Kopech and worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on Albies' sacrifice fly in the sixth.

The Braves put the game away with four runs in the seventh off reliever Bryan Shaw. Orlando Arcia and Michael Harris II each had an RBI single and Albies drove them in with a two-run double. Albies was 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

--Field Level Media

[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.