Ramón Laureano hit a home run for the second consecutive game as the Atlanta Braves concluded their 10-game road trip with a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Laureano, who has historically troubled the Angels from his time playing for Oakland, contributed greatly to Atlanta’s victory. His fourth-inning homer off Jack Kochanowicz extended his impressive record of 14 home runs in 69 games against the Angels. Throughout the weekend series, Laureano went 4 for 11 and finished the road trip with a total of 10 hits, including four home runs and four RBIs.
Charlie Morton pitched effectively for Atlanta, striking out seven batters over 5 1/3 innings. Raisel Iglesias secured his 26th save of the season in 28 opportunities by retiring the Angels in order in the ninth inning. The loss pushed the Angels down to last place in the AL West for the first time since June 8, with a 53-71 record, their lowest of the season.
Morton held the Angels hitless through the first four innings but faced challenges in the fifth as the Angels scored their sole run of the game. The Braves initially took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, which they extended to 3-1 in the eighth inning.
Tragically, Braves’ 3B Austin Riley exited the game in the first inning after being hit by a pitch on the right hand. On the Angels’ side, 3B Anthony Rendon is expected to return to play after recovering from a bruised right elbow.
In their next games, the Braves will face the NL East leader Philadelphia, while the Angels will send RHP Carson Fulmer to the mound as they open a series against Kansas City.