Braves hit 3 homers, including go-ahead shot by Harris, to support Sale in 5-2 win over Arizona

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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale delivers to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris II watches his solo home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley hits a two-run home run in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte falls while batting in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. blows a bubble as he waits to take the field for a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson gestures as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson watches a solo home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson (19) works in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias delivers to a Arizona Diamondbacks batter in the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (20) fouls a ball off his arm as he bats in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies (1) runs to second base after hitting a double in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Pierce Johnson (38) delivers in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo watches from the dugout as his team plays the Atlanta Braves in a baseball game Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker tosses his bat after striking out in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker watches from the dugout steps during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Joe Jimenez works the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Tyler Matzek (68) works in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

By CHARLES ODUM

ATLANTA (AP) — Michael Harris II hit a go-ahead homer in the fourth inning, left-hander Chris Sale gave Atlanta’s rotation a boost in his first home start, and the Braves beat Arizona 5-2 on Sunday to cap a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks.

The Braves hit three homers. Matt Olson led off the second with a solo shot and Austin Riley added a two-run blast in the eighth.

Sale (1-0), acquired from the Boston Red Sox in an offseason trade for Vaughn Grissom, allowed two runs on four hits with no walks in 5 1/3 innings. Atlanta relied on its bats and bullpen in comeback wins in the first two games of the series following poor starts by Spencer Strider and Max Fried.

Sale said the ovation from the sellout crowd of 40,693 when he left the field in the sixth was memorable.

“It’s my first time pitching here ever and my first time pitching here for the Braves,” Sale said. “It was special. ... I felt the energy throughout the whole game.”

Sale retired Arizona’s first 10 batters before giving up two runs in the fourth, when Christian Walker had a run-scoring single. A balk by Sale allowed Corbin Carroll, who singled for the Diamondbacks’ first hit, to score from third base.

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Arizona right-hander Ryne Nelson (0-2) allowed two homers, including the shot by Harris that gave Atlanta a 3-2 lead.

Nelson allowed three runs on five hits in five innings. He matched his career high with seven strikeouts.

Relievers Joe Jiménez, Tyler Matzek and Pierce Johnson combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Johnson pitched the ninth for his second save, giving closer Raisel Iglesias a rest after pitching in the first two games of the series.

The bullpen allowed no runs in 12 1/3 innings in the three-game series.

“That’s a pretty impressive body of work these last three days,” said manager Brian Snitker.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: SS Geraldo Perdomo will have surgery on Monday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Perdomo was placed on the 10-day injured list. “It’s definitely a blow to this team but we’ve got to find a way to overcome it,” said manager Torey Lovullo. The normal recovery time for the surgery is six to eight weeks. Perdomo was an All-Star in 2023 when he hit .246 with six homers and 16 stolen bases. IF Kevin Newman was recalled from Triple-A Reno and started at second base.

Braves: Strider was placed on the IL as expected after an MRI on Saturday revealed a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. RHP Allan Winans was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. No decision on possible season-ending Tommy John surgery is expected before Strider is evaluated further by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, at a date to be determined.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: Arizona will open a three-game series at Colorado when RHP Zac Gallen (2-0, 0.82) is schedule to face Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (0-2, 27.00) on Monday.

Braves: Former Atlanta right-hander Julio Teheran will make his New York debut when the Mets open a four-game series against Charlie Morton (1-0, 0.00) and the Braves on Monday night.

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