Laureano's Homer Lifts Braves Over Angels

In a commanding performance, Ramón Laureano continued to haunt the Los Angeles Angels, hitting a towering home run that propelled the Atlanta Braves to a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. Laureano's 442-foot blast off pitcher Jack Kochanowicz marked his 14th home run in just 69 games against the Angels. Over the weekend series, he showcased his prowess at the plate, going 4 for 11, and concluded a successful road trip with a total of four homers and four RBIs. Charlie Morton, the Braves' starting pitcher, delivered a strong outing, striking out seven batters over 5 1/3 innings. Despite a rocky fifth inning, where he allowed a run, Morton’s performance helped secure a 6-4 record for Atlanta on their recent trip. The Angels, on the other hand, faced a disheartening defeat, losing five of their last six games and sinking to last place in the AL West for the first time since June 8. Their current record stands at 53-71, marking a season-low 18 games under .500. The Braves initially took the lead in the first inning when Michael Harris II scored after drawing a walk, followed by Matt Olson's two-out single. Kochanowicz managed to complete six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, but the Angels struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, including a missed chance in the fifth inning. In injury news, Braves third baseman Austin Riley exited early after being hit by a pitch, while Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is expected to return to the lineup after a brief absence due to a bruised elbow. The Braves will return home to face the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies in a three-game series starting Tuesday.