Chris Sale earns Atlanta Braves record 12th win

PHOENIX — Chris Sale led Zac Gallen with 5⅓ strong innings, Adam Duvall hit a three-run homer and the Atlanta Braves beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 on Tuesday night for their fourth straight victory.

Duvall hit his three-run home run in the sixth inning, increasing Atlanta’s lead to 5-0. The 441-foot home run was launched deep into the left-field bleachers, ending Gallen’s night in frustration.

“We got some hits at the right time,” Duvall said. “Tonight we had a lot of runners. So we put some pressure on and hopefully we can continue to do that.”

It was a bright spot in a tough season for Duvall, who entered the game batting just .184 with seven home runs.

Sale (12-3) struggled to finish its first inning, allowing walks to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno to load the bases with two outs. But it was able to get a groundout from Jake McCarthy to end the threat.

The next four innings were considerably easier before the left-hander ran into trouble in the sixth, allowing a single by Moreno before McCarthy’s RBI triple. Sale, who leads MLB with 12 wins, allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out nine batters.

“Tonight was a real ordeal,” Sale said. “After I got out of the first inning, I was like, ‘Okay, let’s take a deep breath, refocus and get back to work.’”

The 35-year-old has recovered from several injury-plagued seasons and emerged as one of the top pitchers in the major leagues this year. He will represent the Braves on the National League All-Star team next week.

Sale is scheduled to pitch again for Atlanta on Sunday, which means he almost certainly won’t be available to pitch in the All-Star Game two days later on July 16. Given that this is his eighth All-Star appearance, Sale said that’s not a concern.

“The most important thing is this team and the wins they’re going to get,” Sale said. “We have our eyes on the prize and that’s the most important thing.”

Gallen (6-5) allowed five runs, four earned. The right-hander gave up seven hits and one walk while striking out four batters.

“The gears were grinding all day,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “I felt like Zac had some really good stuff, but he got hit for a couple runs and extended his pitch count.”

The Braves took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Sean Murphy’s hit allowed Marcell Ozuna to score the first run, then Atlanta took advantage of a defensive error when All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte dropped a fly ball from Orlando Arcia that allowed Eddie Rosario to score.

Eli White hit a triple as a pinch hitter and drove in a run in the seventh inning to give Atlanta a 6-2 lead. Duvall, Ozuna and Jarred Kelenic all had two hits. Jesse Chavez pitched 2 1/2 scoreless innings in relief.

“What Jesse did, coming in and going multiple (innings) like that, that’s how we win,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.