Braves can clinch division Sunday after win over Astros

Down 2-1, with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh inning Saturday, Acuña hit a 1-0 fastball 411 feet off the facade in left for his fifth career grand slam and second this season.

It was Acuña’s 20th homer and 13th since the All-Star break. Acuña now has six 20-home-run seasons since making his MLB debut in 2018.

The Astros took an early lead Saturday on Isaac Paredes’ solo home run to left off Braves starter Grant Holmes. Paredes made it a 2-0 game in the third, driving in Jeremy Peña, who had led off the inning with a triple, with a one-out single to right.

Matt Olson got the Braves on the board in the sixth with an RBI single to center field. That came off Astros starter Hayden Wesneski, who left after allowing the one run on four hits and three walks.

Mike Yastrzemski got the rally started in the seventh by rolling a one-out single into right field. Austin Riley lobbed a single of his own to left and Sean Murphy drew a walk.

The Astros pulled left-hander AJ Blubaugh from the mound and brought in righty Bryan Abreu. With Braves fans in attendance chopping and chanting, Abreu struck out Drake Baldwin before his first pitch to Acuña was up and in, backing Acuña off the plate.

But the second pitch was right down the middle. And Acuña didn’t miss.

Holmes (10-5) scattered eight hits over six innings and allowed just two runs while striking out four. Víctor Mederos pitched a 1-2-3 seventh.

Yastrzemski added a solo shot in the eighth, his 11th of the season, giving the Braves some important insurance. Dylan Lee allowed an eighth-inning run after a two-out walk, single and Yainer Diaz double to left.

Braves closer Raisel Iglesias pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 34th save of the season.