MILWAUKEE (AP) – Freddie Freeman hit his 25th home run of the season, Max Fried pitched five scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves’ relievers hung on for a 4-2 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night.
The win marked the fifth straight for the first-place Braves who are now a season-best 21 games over .500.
Fried (10-4) pitched gave up three hits and struck out five in just 78 pitches. The left-hander is now 2-0 with 11 shutout innings pitched against Milwaukee this year. Luke Jacksno pitched the ninth for his 17th save of the season.
After three innings of quiet baseball, Freeman put Atlanta on the board first in the fourth with a three-run homer to center field. The blast scored Ronald Acuña Jr. and Darby Swanson who each reached on a base hit.
The Braves improve to a major-league best 40-17 since manager Brian Snitker moved Acuña Jr. to the top of the order on May 10.