Anderson, Braves Win First Postseason Series Since 2001

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds by the score of 5-0 in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday.

Atlanta's first postseason series victory since 2001 sends them to an NLDS match-up with the victor of the (3) Cubs - (6) Marlins series -- beginning on Tuesday, October 6.


The Braves' offensive firepower was largely held in check in their Game 1 victory, and for the majority of Game 2, the Reds stifled this team once again.

However, it's pretty difficult to lose a series when your opposition fails to score -- and that's exactly what happened here.

Atlanta's second consecutive shutout was largely due to the efforts of starting pitcher Ian Anderson, who went six scoreless innings -- allowing two hits, two walks, and striking out nine batters.

The Braves broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth, when Ronald Acuna Jr. drove an RBI double to left-center field to score Austin Riley.

And in the eighth, Atlanta buried any hope of a Cincinnati comeback with a pair of two-run homers.

The Braves' first two-run blast came off the bat of Marcell Ozuna to give them a 3-0 lead.

Following a dropped fly ball in foul territory by Reds' third baseman Eugenio Suarez, Ozzie Albies took a walk for the Braves -- and Adam Duvall launched one over the wall to make it 5-0 Atlanta.

If the eighth inning was any indication of the Braves' offense awakening, their National League opponents may be in trouble in the coming weeks.

Cincinnati had little answer in the ninth inning, as reliever Mark Melancon retired the Reds' hitters in consecutive order to propel the Braves to the NLDS.


What are your thoughts on the Braves' postseason odds?

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