Grant Holmes takes no-hitter into 7th and Riley has 2 RBIs as the Braves top the White Sox 2-0

CHICAGO (AP) — Grant Holmes took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Austin Riley doubled and singled to drive in Atlanta's runs, and the Braves topped the Chicago White Sox 2-0 on Thursday to end a three-game slide.

Holmes didn't allow a hit until Andrew Benintendi lined a single to left with no outs in the seventh in the matchup between division leaders. The right-hander was relieved by Didier Fuentes after the hit, which followed a leadoff walk to Miguel Vargas.

The 30-year-old Holmes (8-5) walked three and struck out three in a six-plus inning, 94-pitch outing. Fuentes closed out the seventh by striking out the side and stranding two runners. Dylan Lee followed with a perfect eighth and Raisel Iglesias tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his 26th save to complete a one-hitter.

Atlanta’s Mauricio Dubón had three hits and scored a run.

White Sox starter Anthony Kay (9-6) yielded two runs on five hits in six-plus innings, walking one and striking out six. Chicago has dropped three of four.

Holmes retired 18 of the first 20 White Sox batters. Colson Montgomery walked with two outs in the second and Drew Romo walked with one out in the fifth for Chicago’s first two baserunners.

The Braves jumped ahead 1-0 in the third on Riley’s RBI double, lined into the left-field corner.

Atlanta upped it to 2-0 in the seventh. Michael Harris II led off with a double to chase Kay. He scored on Riley’s single off Huascar Brazoban.

Holmes has never pitched a complete game in the majors. His longest effort was 7 2/3 innings on April 14, 2025, in an 8-4 win over Toronto. He spent 10 years in the minors before making his major league debut on June 16, 2024, with the Braves.

Braves: LHP Chris Sale (12-8, 2.16 ERA) faces Brewers RHP Jacob Misiorowski (12-5, 1.57) on Friday in Milwaukee.

White Sox: RHP Sean Burke (7-6, 3.15) takes the mound against Mets LHP Sean Manaea (4-5, 4.22) on Friday in Chicago.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Atlanta Braves' Mauricio Dubón scores past the Chicago White Sox catcher Drew Romo during the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Atlanta Braves' Mauricio Dubón, right, scores past Chicago White Sox catcher Drew Romo (36) during the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

Atlanta Braves' Austin Riley hits a one-run double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

RAVENNA, Italy (AP) — Brazil great Ronaldinho has landed in Ravenna, a city more famous for its nearby beaches than its soccer team.

The lyrics “and the world’s going to know your name” seemed ironically superfluous as one of soccer’s most recognizable figures stepped on stage in front of thousands of fans on Thursday.

That song, “Hall of Fame” by The Script, had been belted out throughout the presentation of third-tier Ravenna's team for the upcoming season before the team's new No. 10 walked out.

Thursday was dubbed “Ronaldinho day” as the soccer legend was presented first to the press before a glitzy beachside ceremony in front of around 6,000 fans, waving flags and holding flares aloft — despite the intermittent rain.

In a surprise announcement in June, the 46-year-old Ronaldinho signed with Italian third-division club Ravenna more than a decade after retiring.

“I’m very happy to be here with my friends, but let’s wait and see if things go well with the team,” Ronaldinho said Thursday when asked about how he was feeling, before later answering a question as to when Ravenna fans could expect to see him on the field.

“I feel fine,” he said with a laugh, before later adding: “I don’t know, it depends on the president and coach. I don't know.”

Ronaldinho arrived by private jet at nearby Forlì Airport — about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Ravenna — around midday local time. He signed a couple of soccer balls for airport staff before getting into a car on the runway, skipping the handful of fans that were waiting landside.

He was accompanied by Ravenna President Ignazio Cipriani of the Cipriani restaurant brand.

Ronaldinho will not feature in Ravenna’s first Serie C match of the season on Monday, at Reggio Emilia, and it is still unclear how much he hopes to play during the campaign. However, Cipriani has said it is his dream for the Brazilian to score his last career goal for the team.

“If that happens even better, no?” Ronaldinho said. “I’ve come here because of the friendship we have, and that’s it, let’s wait and see how the team does … I’m here to help.”

Ronaldinho last played professionally for Fluminense in 2015. It marks his second spell in Italy after featuring for AC Milan from 2008-11. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the Ballon d’Or in 2005.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Brazil soccer star Ronaldinho, center, is introduced during his official presentation for Serie C soccer club Ravenna FC, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Ravenna, Italy. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Brazil soccer star Ronaldinho greets fans as he is introduced during his official presentation for Serie C soccer club Ravenna FC, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Ravenna, Italy. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Brazil soccer star Ronaldinho. center, is introduced during his official presentation for Serie C soccer club Ravenna FC, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Ravenna, Italy. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Brazil soccer star Ronaldinho smiles during his official presentation for Serie C soccer club Ravenna FC, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Ravenna, Italy. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Former soccer Brazilian player Ronaldinho answers to reporters ahead the 2026 Ravenna Serie C soccer team presentation joining the club as a technical coach and playing in one match in Ravenna, Italy, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Former soccer Brazilian player Ronaldinho answers to reporters ahead the 2026 Ravenna Serie C soccer team presentation joining the club as a technical coach and playing in one match in Ravenna, Italy, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Former soccer Brazilian player Ronaldinho smiles to reporters ahead the 2026 Ravenna Serie C soccer team presentation joining the club as a technical coach and playing in one match in Ravenna, Italy, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Former soccer star Ronaldinho arrives at the airport ahead the Ravenna Serie C, 2026 soccer team presentation, joining the club as a technical coach and playing in one match in Ravenna, Italy, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Former soccer star Ronaldinho, flanked by Ravenna president Igniazio Cipriani, right, arrives at the airport ahead the Ravenna Serie C, 2026 soccer team presentation, joining the club as a technical coach and playing in one match in Ravenna, Italy, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Former soccer star Ronaldinho, left, flanked by Ravenna president Igniazio Cipriani, center, arrives at the airport ahead the Ravenna Serie C, 2026 soccer team presentation, joining the club as a technical coach and playing in one match in Ravenna, Italy, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Former soccer star Ronaldinho acknowledges the media as he arrives at the airport ahead the Ravenna Serie C, 2026 soccer team presentation, joining the club as a technical coach and playing in one match in Ravenna, Italy, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Former soccer star Ronaldinho arrives at the airport ahead the Ravenna Serie C, 2026 soccer team presentation, joining the club as a technical coach and playing in one match in Ravenna, Italy, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)