Eduardo Rodriguez pitched six strong innings and Nolan Arenado hit a pair of home runs to help the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks defeat the Atlanta Braves 10-3 on Saturday, clinching the three-game series.
Rodriguez (12-4), who settled down after giving up two first-inning runs, allowed five hits, struck out five and did not issue a walk. He retired 11 consecutive batters between the second and fifth innings and improved to 5-0 in his last seven road starts.
Arenado, who was 2-for-4 with a walk, three runs and four RBIs, hit a two-run homer in the third inning and a solo shot in the seventh, giving him 20 for the season. It was his second two-homer game of the season and 26th of his career.
Gabriel Moreno had three hits and an RBI and Ildemaro Vargas added a three-run homer in the ninth to complete the Diamondbacks’ 13-hit attack.
Grant Holmes (7-5) lost for the first time since June 22. He worked 3 2/3 innings and allowed six runs – matching his career high – on six hits and three walks while striking out three.
Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr., who struck out three times on Friday, led off with a 429-foot home run to center field, his 13th. It was his 199th career home run and 40th leadoff homer.
Atlanta added another first-inning run when Drake Baldwin doubled, took third on Matt Olson’s single and came around to score when Michael Harris II grounded out.
The Diamondbacks responded by scoring three times in the second to take a 3-2 lead. Arenado drove in a run with an infield out, then Tim Tawa and Ryan Waldschmidt followed with RBI singles.
Arizona tacked on three runs in the third when Corbin Carroll doubled and scored when Moreno doubled over the head of right fielder Acuna. Arendo followed with a two-run blast to left field.
Arenado added a solo homer against reliever Brent Suter in the seventh.
The Diamondbacks are 4-2 against the Braves this season.
–Field Level Media
