LEADING OFF: Braves try to do better with bats, Burnes tough

By: The Associated Press Posted: 7:43 PM CDT Sunday, Apr. 25, 2021 Last Modified: 1:06 AM CDT Monday, Apr. 26, 2021

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

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A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/04/2021 (1661 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

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HOW BOUT A HIT?

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes works against a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Limited to a total of one hit in an entire doubleheader, Freddie Freeman and the Braves try to do better with the bats when they begin a set against the Cubs.

Freeman got Atlanta’s only hit in Sunday’s pair of seven-inning shutouts by Arizona. He singled in the sixth off Zac Gallen in the opener, then Madison Bumgarner pitched a no-hitter in the second game. Bumgarner’s gem won’t go into the official list of Major League Baseball no-hitters — MLB’s eight-man committee on statistical accuracy decided in 1991 that a no-hitter was a game of nine or more innings that ended with no hits.

Zach Davies (1-2, 8.80) starts for Chicago in the series opener at Atlanta.

The Diamondbacks are off Monday. Merrill Kelly (1-2, 7.71) pitches on Tuesday, when Arizona hosts San Diego.

BURNESING UP

Milwaukee right-hander Corbin Burnes looks to build on his impressive start and amazing K/W ratio when he gets the ball for the opener of a three-game home series against Miami.

Burnes has struck out 40 this season without a single walk. He takes a scoreless streak of 18 innings into the matchup.

“The biggest thing that I’ve done this off-season is the mindset,” Burnes said. “It can be 3-0, I really don’t care. For me, it’s 0-0, it’s 0-1, it’s 0-2, I’m attacking. In pitcher’s counts, I’m going at hitters.”

Trevor Rogers pitches for Miami. Rogers is the first left-handed starter Milwaukee has faced this season. The last team to open a season with 21 or more consecutive games without facing a lefty starter was the Rockies at 23 games in 2006.

SHOHEI’S SKILLS

A day after hitting his MLB high-tying seventh home run to beat Houston, Angels star Shohei Ohtani takes the mound at Texas to face the Rangers.

Ohtani is 0-0 with a 1.04 ERA in two starts. He’s walked 11 in 8 2/3 innings, but has allowed just three hits and has struck out 14, helped by his 100 mph heat.

Ohtani has homered in two straight games. His weekend at Minute Maid Park also included his first appearance as an outfielder.

Los Angeles expects outfielder Mike Trout back in the lineup after missing three games in a row because of a bruised left elbow.

“In spite of being banged up a little bit … we’ll get it right,” manager Joe Maddon said. “We’ve got to get the right guys back out on the field.”

SEEING RED

Cincinnati has lost seven in row going into its series at Dodger Stadium. The Reds’ skid is their worst since an eight-game slide from March 31-April 7, 2019.

Manager David Bell was ejected in their latest loss, 5-2 at St. Louis on Sunday.

Right-hander Tyler Mahle (1-1, 1.74) starts for the Reds against Los Angeles lefty Julio Urías (3-0, 2.81). Left-handed hitters are just 3 for 43 this season against Mahle with 20 strikeouts this season.

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