Ian Anderson returned from the injured list to throw 5 2/3 strong innings as the Atlanta Braves cruised to a 9-0 victory over the visiting San Francisco Giants on Sunday afternoon.
Anderson (6-5) had not pitched since the All-Star break, missing 39 games because of shoulder inflammation. He allowed only four hits and two walks in his first career start against the Giants.
The Atlanta bullpen permitted just one hit the rest of the way to secure the team’s 15th shutout of the season. Tyler Matzek got the final out of the sixth inning and Richard Rodriguez, A.J. Minter and Touki Toussaint each followed with one scoreless frame.
The Atlanta offense staked Anderson to an early 3-0 lead in the fourth inning.
Jorge Soler hit a long solo shot into the second deck in left field for his 20th homer and seventh since joining the Braves. Austin Riley followed with a two-run shot for his 28th homer of the season and 14th since the All-Star Game.
Those runs came against San Francisco starter Anthony DeSclafani (11-6), who made his first start since missing eight games with right ankle inflammation.
DeSclafani looked strong through the first three innings, but did not retire a batter in the fourth and left with the team’s trainer after allowing consecutive infield hits. In three innings, he was charged with three runs on six hits and four strikeouts.
The Braves tacked on two runs in the sixth against reliever Sammy Long when Eddie Rosario tripled into right field to drive home Joc Pederson and Dansby Swanson.
Atlanta scored two more in the seventh on an RBI single from Freddie Freeman and a sacrifice fly from Pederson.
The Braves added two more in the eighth inning. Guillermo Heredia doubled and scored on a wild pitch and Ozzie Albies hit his 23rd home run of the season.
The Braves, who have won 11 of their last 14 games, leave for seven-game road trip that begins Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
San Francisco had its stretch of consecutive series victories end at nine. The Giants completed the road trip with a 6-3 record and return home for a four-game series against NL Central leader Milwaukee.
–Field Level Media