Grant Holmes and 3 relievers pitch 1-hitter against Cubs, leading MLB-best Braves to 5-2 win

ATLANTA (AP) — Grant Holmes combined with three relievers on a one-hitter, Austin Riley and Mike Yastrzemski homered and the Atlanta Braves beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game set between the National League's top teams.

Didier Fuentes (2-0) worked three scoreless innings in relief of Holmes, who had not pitched since May 1. Atlanta's starter worked four innings, allowing a solo homer to Alex Bregman and an RBI grounder by Moisés Ballesteros. He walked four and struck out five while throwing 78 pitches.

Dylan Lee pitched a perfect eighth and Raisel Iglesias went 1-2-3 in the ninth for his seventh save. Iglesias has not allowed a run over 11 2/3 innings this season.

Yastrzemski was 2 for 2 with three RBIs, including his two-run homer in the fifth inning that landed in front of the Chop House restaurant in right field. Earlier in the inning, Riley hit a solo shot 409 feet to left field that tied it at 2-all.

Riley was also robbed of extra bases in the second inning on a leaping catch at the wall by center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Dominic Smith went 4 for 4 and scored twice as the Braves improved to a major league-best 29-13.

Colin Rea (4-2) gave up five runs on seven hits, including both Braves home runs. He walked one and struck out one. The Cubs (27-15) have lost three straight.

The Braves honored Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox and former owner Ted Turner in the first home game since both men died. The club had a moment of silence following a video tribute to both men and had a display set up with jerseys and photos in the Battery plaza outside the park. The Braves will wear an embroidered No. 6 on the back of their caps the rest of the season to honor Cox, who died Saturday at age 84. Turner died last Wednesday at 87.

Braves rookie RHP JR Ritchie (1-0, 3.63) will make the fourth start of his career and LHP Shota Imanaga (4-2, 2.28) takes the mound for the Cubs on Wednesday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The 1995 World Championship trophy is seen during a tribute to former manager Bobby Cox before a baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Braves' Dominic Smith (8) hits a single in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Chicago Cubs' Alex Bregman (3) celebrates hitting a solo homerun against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) makes the catch against Chicago Cubs' Nico Hoerner (2) in the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes (66) works in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Anaheim center Ryan Poehling was helped off the ice after being checked hard into the boards by Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb midway through the first period of the Ducks' Game 5 loss Tuesday night.

McNabb, a first-pair D-man, received a five-minute major for interference and was sent to the dressing room with a game misconduct.

Anaheim announced Poehling would not return to the game because of an upper-body injury. Vegas won 3-2 in overtime to take a 3-2 series lead.

The Ducks got a goal off the power play when rookie Beckett Sennecke scored off a rebound with 7:24 left in the period. That extended his goals streak to four games.

Poehling entered the game with four goals and an assist in 10 playoff games.

McNabb slammed into Poehling with his shoulder. But the brunt of the hit caused the back of Poehling's head to hit the glass. He went to the ice and tried to stand, but was wobbly and went back down. He was helped off the ice to the locker room.

Game 6 is Thursday night in Anaheim.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) and Jacob Trouba (65) tend to center Ryan Poehling (25) after being hit by Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) during the first period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (25) skates against Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) and Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) during the first period of Game 2 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)