Red Sox routed by Atlanta 8-1, drop series to Braves

ATLANTA (AP) — Austin Riley hit a three-run homer, Grant Holmes pitched six scoreless innings, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Boston Red Sox 8-1 on Sunday to win another Series.

The first-place Braves got two of three from Boston for their 13th win in 15 Series this season. They have just one series loss, along with a four-game set.

Mike Yastrzemski also returns for Atlanta, which jumped out to a 5-0 lead through two innings against Brian Bellew (2-5) on his 27th birthday.

Riley got the Braves rolling with his seventh homer of the season, a 431-foot shot with two outs in the first. Michael Harris II kept the inning alive by rushing out to beat the relay throw to first on a potential double play at the end of the inning.

Yastrzemski continued his hot hitting with a leadoff homer in the fourth inning. Riley doubled in the fifth and came home on a Dominic Smith single to make it 7-0.

Holmes (3-1) allowed five hits and walked one in an 87-pitch effort. Reynaldo Lopez added two scoreless innings before Tyler Kinley gave up the Red Sox’ only run with two outs in the ninth inning.

It has been another difficult start for Bello, who has performed well in his last two matches after being limped off the field after the opener. He has now allowed 33 earned runs in 30 1-3 innings as a starter.

Ozzie Albies snapped an 0-for-24 hitless streak — the second-longest streak of his career.

There was a sudden heavy rain in the top of the sixth, but the tarp was barely on the field before the storm passed. The game resumed after a 33-minute delay, although Boston’s Carlos Narvaez was lifted due to finger pain.

Red Sox: Boston continues its road trip Monday night with the start of a three-game series in Kansas City. RH Sonny Gray (4-1, 3.18 ERA) goes for the Red Sox against Royals RH Seth Lugo (1-3, 3.76).

Braves: RH JR Ritchie (1-0, 3.32) takes the mound for Miami in the opener of a four-game series Monday night. The Marlins will face RH Max Meyer (3-0, 3.21).