WASHINGTON — Matt Olson hit two of four home runs in Atlanta and Spencer Stryder hit nine runs in six scoreless innings as the Braves beat the Washington Nationals 7-1 on Saturday.
Ronald Acuna Jr. and Olson started the match as fellow singles on consecutive at-bats. Marcel Ozuna added a home run later for Atlanta.
All of those four-run home runs came against Josiah Gray, who has allowed the most home runs by a pitcher this season.
Olson’s second hit of the day came in the seventh off Thaddeus Ward, a reliever who made his major league debut.
Olson had 34 homers and 103 RBIs in 2022 for NL champion East Atlanta.
Stryder (1-0) consistently hit 99 mph on his home fields. Washington connected only three hits.
In short, Stryder looked as good as the second-place pitcher in last year’s rookie voting, trailing only teammate Michael Harris II. Last season, he struck out 202 in just 131 2/3 innings.
Gray (0-1) gave up five runs in the same number of innings.
For the Braves, Venezuela’s Acuña is 5-1 with a run scored and an RBI, Orlando Arcia’s is 4-3 with two runs. Puerto Rico Eddie Rosario 4-0. Dominican Ozona is 4-1 with a run scored and an RBI.
For the Mexican nationals Joey Meneses 4-0. Venezuelan Kibert Ruiz 4-2 with one score and another produced Eldemaro Vargas 1-0. Dominican Jimer Candelario 4-0, Victor Robles 2-1.