Austin Riley homers twice in the Braves’ 9-0 romp over the Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Austin Riley hit a three-run homer in the second inning and a solo shot in the ninth, Martin Perez pitched six innings and the Atlanta Braves' routed the Philadelphia Phillies 9-0 on Friday night.

Dominic Smith and Michael Harris II also homered to help NL East-leading Atlanta improve to 13-7 with its third straight victory.

Perez (1-1) was designated for assignment Sunday then signed a minor league deal Wednesday. He limited the Phillies to four hits, and José Suarez gave up two hits in the final three innings in picking up his first save.

Phillies starter Taijuan Walker (1-3) allowed seven runs in four innings.

The Braves loaded the bases in the first on leadoff hitter Ronald Acuna Jr.'s walk, Drake Baldwin's single and Matt Olson's walk. Ozzie Albies drove in Acuna with a groundout, and Mike Yastrzemski had an infield single off Walker’s leg to make it 2-0.

Olson had an RBI single in the second, and Walker upped it to 6-0 with two outs with his three-run shot to right-center.

Braves left-hander Chris Sale (3-1. 3.27 ERA) was set to start Saturday night against the Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez (2-1, 2.01).

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Atlanta Braves pitcher José Suarez reacts after a winning baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. scores past Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto off of a hit by teammate Ozzie Albies during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Otto Kemp catches a line out by Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies hits a one-run single off of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Atlanta Braves' Martin Perez pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jeremiah Jackson's three-run homer capped Baltimore's six-run outburst in the eighth inning against Cleveland's bullpen, sending the Orioles to a 6-4 win over the Guardians on Friday night.

The Orioles' rally came after Daniel Schneemann hit a grand slam to give Cleveland a 4-0 lead in the seventh.

But Guardians' reliever Scott Armstrong couldn't get an out, giving up two walks and hitting a batter before being pulled. Johnathan Rodríguez's sacrifice fly off Erik Sabrowski (0-1) made it 4-1 and pinch hitter Weston Wilson roped a two-run double to get the Orioles within one.

Sabrowski struck out Coby Mayo before giving way for Connor Brogdon to face Jackson, whose fielding error at second helped set up Cleveland' four-run seventh. Jackson then pulled a 1-0 fastball over the wall in left for his fifth homer.

Rico Garcia (2-0) pitched a perfect eighth for the win. Ryan Helsley worked the ninth for his sixth save.

With the score tied 0-0, Schneemann connected on a 0-1 pitch from Anthony Nunez, driving it 407 feet into the right-field seats. The shot came after the Guardians loaded the bases off Grant Wolfram on Jackson's error, a double and an intentional walk.

One day after being no-hit for eight innings by Cleveland's Parker Messick, the Orioles collected their first hit off Tanner Bibee in the first inning. However, they couldn't string any together and stranded seven runners over the first five.

Bibee had his best outing this season, holding the Orioles without a run over six innings.

Orioles starter Chris Bassitt matched Bibee, blanking the Guardians for five innings despite four walks.

Baltimore right fielder Colton Cowser stayed in after banging his right knee into the padded wall while snagging a foul drive in the fifth.

Orioles RHP Dean Kremer (0-0, 3.60) faces Gavin Williams (2-1, 2.38), who has 29 strikeouts in his first four starts.

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Baltimore Orioles' Gunnar Henderson, right, forces Cleveland Guardians' Daniel Schneemann, left, at second base but his throw to first was not in time for a double play during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Baltimore Orioles' Jeremiah Jackson (82) is greeted by Colton Cowser, left, Weston Wilson (32) and Leody Taveras (30) after hitting a three-run home run off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Connor Brogdon during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Guardians' Daniel Schneemann, right, is greeted by Steven Kwan (38) and Jose Ramirez after hitting a grand slam home run off Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Anthony Nunez during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Cleveland Guardians' Daniel Schneemann watches his grand slam home run off Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Anthony Nunez as catcher Samuel Basallo looks away during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Baltimore Orioles' Jeremiah Jackson (82) is congratulated by third base coach Buck Britton, left, after hitting a three tun home run off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Connor Brogdon during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)