ATLANTA (AP) – Ian Anderson allowed one hit in seven innings, Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a long home run and the Atlanta Braves beat the skidding Chicago Cubs 5-0 on Tuesday night.
Anderson (2-0) won his second consecutive start, after throwing 6 2/3 shutout innings in a 4-1 win at Yankee Stadium last Wednesday. He walked only one Cubs batter and struck out eight.
“His last two outings have been excellent,” Acuña said through a translator. “He’s a tremendous pitcher. I’m not surprised at all. He’s a superstar in my opinion.”
Chicago held out Javier Báez and Kris Bryant with injuries in its fourth consecutive loss.
A rookie making his 11th career start and fifth this season, Anderson lowered his ERA to 2.48. Cubs manager David Ross was impressed by the right-hander in his first game against Chicago.