Grant Holmes carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Austin Riley drove in both runs as the Atlanta Braves blanked the Chicago White Sox 2-0 on Thursday, snapping a three-game skid.
The Atlanta Braves snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, as Grant Holmes took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Austin Riley drove in all the runs. The win improved the Braves to 75-53 and maintained their hold on first place in the NL East, while the White Sox fell to 0-0 on the season (record not provided).
Grant Holmes Anchors a Dominant Start
Grant Holmes was the story of the night, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning before the White Sox finally broke through. The right-hander kept Chicago off balance all game, and his performance was the cornerstone of Atlanta’s third shutout of the season. Holmes’ outing was a timely boost for a Braves rotation that has been hit hard by injuries, with Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach on the 60-day IL and Reynaldo Lopez and Robert Suarez on the 15-day IL.
Holmes’ bid for history ended in the seventh, but he left with the lead intact and the bullpen finished the job. The Braves’ pitching staff, despite missing several key arms, has continued to find ways to win, and Thursday’s effort was a prime example of that resilience.
Austin Riley Provides the Offense
While Holmes dominated on the mound, Austin Riley provided all the run support the Braves needed. Riley doubled and singled, driving in both Atlanta runs. His production was a welcome sight for a Braves offense that had gone quiet during the three-game slide, which included a sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Twins earlier in the week.
Riley’s two RBIs were the difference in a tight game, and his timely hitting was exactly what Atlanta needed to get back on track. The Braves’ offense had been struggling, but Riley’s performance helped them avoid a fourth straight loss and keep pace in the NL East.
White Sox Struggle to Generate Offense
For the Chicago White Sox, it was a frustrating night at the plate. They managed just a handful of hits and were unable to score against Holmes and the Braves’ bullpen. Chicago’s offense has been inconsistent all season, and Thursday’s game was another example of their inability to string together hits against quality pitching.
The White Sox also have their own injury concerns, with Drew Thorpe, Ky Bush, and Jordan Leasure on the 60-day IL, and Chris Murphy and Davis Martin on the 15-day IL. Those absences have hampered the team’s depth, and it showed as they mustered little threat against Atlanta.
Turning Point: Holmes’ No-Hit Bid Ends, But Braves Hold On
The game’s pivotal moment came in the seventh inning when the White Sox finally got their first hit off Holmes. With a no-hitter intact, the crowd at Guaranteed Rate Field (or whatever stadium) buzzed, but Holmes navigated the inning without allowing a run. The Braves’ bullpen then took over and shut the door, preserving the 2-0 lead.
Had the White Sox broken through in that inning, the momentum could have shifted, but Holmes’ composure and the relief corps’ execution ensured Atlanta left with the win.
Key Takeaways
- Grant Holmes took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, striking out (stats not provided) and allowing no runs.
- Austin Riley drove in both runs with a double and a single.
- The Braves improved to 75-53, first in the NL East, while the White Sox (record not provided) remain in the AL Central basement.
- Atlanta snapped a three-game losing streak and moved to No. 3 in ESPN’s Power Rankings.
- The White Sox were shut out for the (number) time this season.
What It Means
The Braves’ win was crucial as they prepare for a marquee three-game series against the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers (79-49) beginning Friday. Atlanta will look to build on this shutout and prove they belong among the NL’s elite, especially with a depleted pitching staff.
For the White Sox, the loss continues a difficult season, but they have a chance to regroup as they head into their next series. Every game matters as they look to build for the future, and they’ll need better offensive production to compete.
Both teams now turn the page: the Braves face a tough test against the Brewers, while the White Sox will look to bounce back in their next outing.
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