Albies and Olson hit back-to-back homers in 9th to give Braves 2-0 win over Diamondbacks

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) celebrates a home run by Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) celebrates a home run by Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Paul Sewald (38) is relieved from pitching after allowing two home runs during a baseball game against the Atlanta Braces, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Paul Sewald (38) is relieved from pitching after allowing two home runs during a baseball game against the Atlanta Braces, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes (66) pitches during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Grant Holmes (66) pitches during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rebecca Noble)
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PHOENIX (AP) — Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson opened the ninth inning with back-to-back home runs, sending the Atlanta Braves to a 2-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night.

Grant Holmes held the Diamondbacks to one hit through six innings, matching zeros with Arizona starter Eduardo Rodríguez.

Albies and Olson connected off reliever Paul Sewald (0-1), helping the Braves improve to 6-2 while the Diamondbacks dropped to 3-5. Arizona has scored only three runs in its last three games.

Robert Suarez (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth inning and Raisel Iglesias worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save this season.

Albies, who had three of Atlanta's six hits, drove an 0-1 pitch from Sewald over the right-field fence for his second homer of the year.

Olson sent Sewald’s next delivery to left for his second home run as well.

In the early innings, both starters were in command. Holmes didn't give up a hit until Ketel Marte singled on a sharp line drive to left with one out in the sixth. The right-hander walked three and struck out four.

In his only two previous starts against the Diamondbacks, both last year, Holmes allowed nine runs in nine innings.

Rodríguez tossed seven strong innings of his own, scattering four hits while walking one and striking out three. It's the first time the left-hander has opened a season with consecutive scoreless starts.

Up next

The third game of the four-game series is Saturday, with Braves RHP Bryce Elder (1-0) facing Michael Soroka (1-0).

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

 

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