Albies homers in the 8th as the Braves overcome Olson’s strong start and beat the Tigers 2-1

ATLANTA (AP) — Ozzie Albies hit a two-out home run in the eighth and the Atlanta Braves overcame a strong start from Detroit right-hander Reese Olson to beat the Tigers 2-1 Monday night.

Albies hit his fifth homer of the season 407 feet, high into right field, off right-hander Shelby Miller (4-5).

“I’m glad it came at the right time,” Albies said.

The Braves, who enjoyed an offensive resurgence by winning two of three against Tampa Bay, have won four of their last five games.

“That set the tone,” Albies said of the team’s 22 runs in three games against the Rays. “We handled the bats really well, better than we had in a few weeks.”

Atlanta right-hander Daysbel Hernández (1-0), recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett before the game, pitched a scoreless eighth. Joe Jiménez recorded the final three outs for his first save.

Olson pitched six scoreless innings in a successful return to his home state, coming away with a 1-0 lead.

He allowed a total of 18 points in an ugly three-game losing streak before returning to his more impressive early-season form. Olson excelled against the Braves, his favorite team, while growing up in Gainesville, Ga., about an hour north of Atlanta. The right-hander tied his season high with eight strikeouts while allowing just four hits with no walks.

Olson gave his cheering section of about 50 friends and family plenty of highlights while never allowing more than one baserunner in an inning.

“I’m grateful to have so many people come out to support me,” Olson said. “I am happy to be back on track after some difficulties. … I made a little better progress in the counts.”

The Braves tied it off right-hander Will Vest in the seventh. Austin Riley led off the inning with his second double of the game. With two outs, Riley scored from third on a single to right field by Forrest Wall, also recalled from Gwinnett on Monday.

Atlanta left-hander Max Fried allowed one run on four hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. Jesse Chavez stranded two inherited baserunners in the sixth by striking out Gio Urshela and Justyn-Henry Malloy.

“Obviously, I would have liked to put him in a better position,” Fried said of Chavez. “…It was a really big part of the game.”

Andy Ibáñez led off the sixth with a single to right field against Fried. After Fried’s walk to Mark Canha, Greene’s single to right field drove in Ibáñez, giving Detroit a 1-0 lead.

Trainers’ room

Braves: RHP Hurston Waldrep had been expected to option to Triple-A Gwinnett before he reported having a sore arm after Sunday’s 8-6 loss to Tampa Bay. Instead, the rookie was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Manager Brian Snitker said Waldrep will be closed for a week. OF JP Martínez was optioned to Gwinnett.

Following

Braves rookie RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (0-2, 6.32) will make his fourth start against Tigers RHP Casey Mize (1-4, 4.43) on Tuesday night.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb