Kevin Gausman, Dansby Swanson Lead Braves Over Pirates; Brett Anderson 1-Hits Rangers As A's Remain Hot

Players of the Day for Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Anderson: 1 Hit over 7 IP

American League

Brett Anderson allowed just one hit over seven scoreless innings as the Oakland A's blanked the Rangers for the second straight game, notching a 6-0 victory after a 9-0 whitewash Monday.

After Shin Shoo Choo led off the third inning with a double, Anderson retired the next twelve Rangers in order. He threw 63 of 93 pitches for strikes, fanning six and allowing just one walk. Anderson has pitched exclusively as a starter in limited time with the A's. He's 3-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 12 starts.

The win kept pressure on Houston as the A's are tied with the Astros for first place in the AL West. Houston topped Seattle, 3-0, on Tuesday. The Mariners are 4 1/2 back in the division.

Oakland will be seeking a sweep of their three-game series against the Rangers when they wrap up a nine game home stand Wednesday, 3:35 pm EDT. The A's are 6-2 in their most recent eight home games.

National League

Gausman: 8 scoreless

Swanson: 2 HR, 4  RBI

After dropping four straight at home to the Rockies, the Atlanta Braves have bounced back with two wins at Pittsburgh, winning 1-0 on Monday and 6-1 Tuesday night.

Dansby Swanson swatted a pair of homers and drove in four runs in support of Kevin Gausman's eight scoreless innings, putting the Braves two games up on the Phillies in the NL East. Philadelphia has lost three straight.

Gausman, acquired by the Braves from Baltimore prior to the trading deadline, allowed four hits and two walks, fanning five. He is 3-1 in four starts with Atlanta, posting a 2.00 ERA and 17 strikeouts.

Swanson broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a two-run shot, adding another two-run homer in the seventh. He has 12 home runs and 52 RBI on the season.

The Braves will be looking for the series sweep when they take the field Wednesday, 7:05 pm EDT.