ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves spent much of Friday night flirting on a no-hitter. Instead, they had to settle for a 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros and a two-games-to-one lead in the World Series.
Ian Anderson worked five hitless innings but was pulled after 76 pitches. He struck out four, walked three and allowed just one base runner after the first inning.
Atlanta’s bullpen kept the no-hitter intact until pinch-hitter Aledmys (ah-LEHD’-mees) Díaz blooped a single leading off the eighth against reliever Tyler Matzek (MAT’-sehk). Houston’s other hit came on Alex Bregman’s single leading off the ninth.
Austin Riley’s RBI double in the third off Astros rookie starter Luis Garcia put Atlanta ahead. Travis d’Arnaud (dahr-NOH’) hit a 437-foot homer off Kendall Graveman in the eighth, his second round-tripper of the series.
The Braves improved to 6-0 at home this postseason.
Game 4 is Saturday in Atlanta.