Braves blast five 2-run HRs to rout Rangers 12-0 in matchup of 1st-place teams

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kevin Pillar and Ronald Acuña Jr. each hit a two-run homer in the second inning, spoiling Cody Bradford’s big league debut as the Atlanta Braves routed the Texas Rangers 12-0 on Monday night in an interleague matchup of division leaders.

Orlando Arcia, Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna also socked two-run shots for the Braves, who hold the top spot in the NL East. Charlie Morton (5-3) struck out a season-high 10 and limited the Rangers to seven singles and one walk in 6 2/3 innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this season.

Arcia homered in the sixth and Riley in the seventh, both off reliever Cole Ragans as the Braves averted their first five-game losing streak since September 2017. They were swept in Toronto over the weekend, giving up two runs in the bottom of the ninth Sunday to lose 6-5.

“It was a big win. We let one get away (Sunday),” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It was great to come out and swing the bats. And Charlie was awesome.”

Ozuna’s drive came in the ninth off Rangers reserve catcher Sandy Leon, making his eighth career pitching appearance.

Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the fifth.

Bradford (0-1) was called up from Triple-A Round Rock for his major league debut with the AL West leaders coming off a 10-game road trip. The 25-year-old lefty from nearby Aledo, Texas, and Baylor University gave up six runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings.

“Obviously, not how anybody draws up their debut, but I got blessed with an amazing opportunity to pitch at home in front of a lot of friends and family,” he said. “The Braves did a good job of hitting pitches over the middle of the plate.”

Bradford was 5-1 with a 0.91 ERA at Round Rock.

“It’s fair to say he made some mistakes, especially with his off-speed pitches,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “We had trouble keeping the ball in the ballpark tonight. It’s tough to debut against this club.”

Pillar’s homer was his second in two days and third in four games. Four of his five home runs this season have been hit in May.

Acuña launched a 454-foot drive on a slider low and outside into the second deck beyond the visitors’ bullpen in left-center.