Gallen 1-hit, 7-inning shutout, D-backs top Braves in opener
ATLANTA (AP) – Zac Gallen pitched a one-hitter in a seven-inning shutout, Stephen Vogt and Kole Calhoun homered, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Atlanta Braves 5-0 Sunday in the first game of a doubleheader. Gallen (1-0) allowed only Freddie Freeman’s sharp single to right-center field with one out in the sixth. Gallen, who finished ninth in the NL Cy Young Award voting last year, struck out six, walked two, and hit a batter. This was his first complete game in 30 major league starts. The 29-year-old righty improved to 6-5 with a 2.72 ERA since his Diamondbacks debut on AuAugust 72019. He began the game with a 2.84 ERA since making his big league debut in JuJune 202019, with Miami – the eighth-lowest during that span with a minimum of 150 innings.
Arizona has won five of six and six of nine.
In four innings, Bryce Wilson (1-1) allowed four hits, including both home runs. Wilson dropped to 0-1 with a 9.18 ERA in six career daytime appearances. The Diamondbacks took a 2-0 lead in the second when Josh VanMeter walked, and Vogt hit the third homer deep into the right-field seats. Calhoun’s second homer went to the right-center and put Arizona up 3-0 in the third. Arizona tacked on two runs run in the fifth against Grant Dayton. Pavin Smith tripled, Calhoun walked, and Eduardo Escobar singled. VanMeter added an RBI single.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Ronald Acuña Jr. was hit in the left hand by a pitch in the first. … Braves LHP Max Fried, placed on the injured list ApApril 14ith a right hamstring strain, threw a side session and is getting closer to his return.
NICE PLAY
Gallen was helped by a diving catch from center fielder Nick Heath in the fourth. Heath ran hard to his right and caught the ball as he was outstretched in the air.
WILD ARM
Wilson had two throwing errors in the second while attempting to pick off runners at first base. VanMeter advanced to third on the error, and Heath walked and advanced to second base on the second miscue.
ROSTER MOVES
The Braves made C William Contreras the club’s 27th man for the doubleheader. Arizona recalled RHP Riley Smith from the alternate training site to serve as its 27th man. The D-backs released RHP Anthony Swarzak, who was designated for assignment on ApApril 18…
UP NEXT
RHP Charlie Morton (1-1, 3.91) will face Cubs RHP Zach Davies (1-2, 8.80) as Atlanta and Chicago begin a four-game series on Monday. LHP Madison Bumgarner pitches for the Diamondbacks, and Drew Smyly goes for the Braves in the second game of the doubleheader. RHP Merrill Kelly (1-2, 7.71) pitches for the Diamondbacks as Arizona hosts San Diego to open a three-game series. The Padres’ starter has yet to be determined.
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