MLB report: Matt Olson homers, drives in 2 as Atlanta wins 5th straight

Matt Olson homered late and doubled in an early run and host Atlanta won its fifth straight game, beating the Minnesota Twins, 3-0, Wednesday for a series sweep.

Atlanta has won 21 of 25 to improve to a National League-leading 53-27. Kolby Allard, Kirby Yates, A.J. Minter, Joe Jiménez and Raisel Iglesias combined on a four-hitter with 14 strikeouts.

Olson's 26th homer, which leads the NL, came off Jordan Balazovic in the eighth and made it 3-0.

“Just trying to continuously progress as the season goes on,” Olson said. “I feel like I'm working in the right direction.”

Atlanta took a 1-0 lead in the first when Ronald Acuña Jr. walked, stole second base, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Olson's double. Atlanta leads the majors with 76 first-inning runs.

The Twins couldn't capitalize on their scoring opportunities and finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position — and 0-for-23 in the three-game series.

Byron Buxton snapped a 0-for-17 streak with a double in the fourth but after advancing on a flyout he was tagged out at home trying to score on Kyle Farmer's grounder to third. Donovan Solano struck out against Yates (3-0) with runners on first and second to end the fifth. Christian Vazquez lined into a double play to end the seventh.

The Twins closed their clubhouse after the game, and only manager Rocco Baldelli was made available to speak with reporters.

“Yeah, we’re scrapping just to score a run right now,” Baldelli said. "We’re going to have to win some close ballgames like that, but you can’t win every game clawing for a run, two runs. It feels like we’ve been like that for a long time.

“I’m hoping that getting this out, and the players are in there talking right now in the clubhouse, I’m hoping that me getting this out, them getting it out as a group and feeling this together as a team is what is going to help lead us to where we need to be.”

Nationals 4, Mariners 1: Patrick Corbin tossed seven shutout innings, visiting Washington jumped on Seattle starter Logan Gilbert for three first-inning runs, and the Nationals won another series.

Corbin (5-9) didn’t allow an earned run — and his nine strikeouts were a season high. Opponents were hitting .309 against Corbin entering the day, but the Mariners managed just five singles, three from catcher Tom Murphy.

Ildemaro Vargas had an RBI double as part of an eventful sixth inning in which Nats manager Dave Martinez was ejected for the second time in a week after Keibert Ruiz was called out on a play at home plate for running out of the baseline.

Phillies 8, Cubs 5: Nick Castellanos had a three-run homer and drove in four runs, and Aaron Nola (7-5) pitched five innings for visiting Philadelphia.

Blue Jays 6, Giants 1: George Springer hit the first of four doubles in a five-run first inning as host Toronto stopped San Francisco’s 10-game road winning streak.

Giants rightfielder Michael Conforto left after one inning because of a tight left hamstring.

Astros 10, Cardinals 7: Jose Altuve hit a three-run homer, Jose Abreu had a two-run shot and Kyle Tucker doubled twice for visiting Houston.

Guardians 14, Royals 1: Jose Ramirez hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, and Josh Bell homered and drove in four for visiting Cleveland.

Guardians manager Terry Francona missed his second straight game after being hospitalized when he became lightheaded before Tuesday’s game, but he was released Wednesday after tests all “came back within normal ranges.”

Pirates 7, Padres 1: Mitch Keller (9-3) allowed one run in six innings and host Pittsburgh scored five times in the seventh. Josh Palacios had a pinch-hit RBI single, and Connor Joe and Henry Davis followed with two-run singles.

Rangers 10, Tigers 2: Dane Dunning (7-1) threw shutout ball for a career-high 8 2/3 innings, and Adolis Garcia homered for the third consecutive game for host Texas.  — AP