ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATLANTA (AP) — Max Fried pitched three-hit ball over 8 2/3 innings and the Atlanta Braves delayed Kansas City's playoff celebration, beating the Royals 3-0 on Friday night in the opener of a crucial series for both teams.
Sean Murphy hit a two-run homer and Marcell Ozuna trotted home on a throwing error after his first stolen base since 2022 for the Braves, who began the night one game behind Arizona and the New York Mets in the NL wild-card race.
The Mets were playing at Milwaukee, while the Diamondbacks hosted the Padres.
The Royals came in with their magic number at one to clinch their first playoff appearance since winning the 2015 World Series.