WASHINGTON — Matt Olson had two of Atlanta’s four home runs and Spencer Strider struck out nine over six scoreless innings as the Braves beat the Washington Nationals 7-1 Saturday.
Ronald Acuna Jr. and Olson started the game with solo homers in back-to-back at-bats. Marcell Ozuna added a home run later for Atlanta.
All those four-cornered drives came once morest Josiah Gray, who allowed the most home runs by a pitcher this season.
Olson’s second blow of the day came in the seventh inning off Thaddeus Ward, a reliever making his major league debut.
Olson had 34 homers and 103 RBIs in 2022 for NL East champion Atlanta.
Strider (1-0) consistently hit 99 mph on his pitches. Washington connected only three hits.
In short, Strider looked as good as the pitcher who was second in last year’s Rookie of the Year voting, trailing only teammate Michael Harris II. Last season, he racked up 202 strikeouts in just 131 2/3 innings.
Gray (0-1) gave up five runs in as many innings.
For the Braves, Venezuelans Acuña 5-1 with a run scored and an RBI, Orlando Arcia 4-3 with two runs scored. Puerto Rican Eddie Rosario 4-0. The Dominican Ozuna 4-1 with a run scored and an RBI.
For the Nationals, the Mexican Joey Meneses 4-0. The Venezuelans Keibert Ruiz 4-2 with one scored and one produced, Ildemaro Vargas 1-0. The Dominicans Jeimer Candelario 4-0, Victor Robles 2-1.
