Harris homers, Mahle pitches 5 strong innings as Braves beat Brewers 4-2 in Little League Classic

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Michael Harris II hit a solo homer, Mauricio Dubon had an RBI ground-rule double and Tyler Mahle worked five strong innings as the Atlanta Braves beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 in the Little League Classic on Sunday night.

Harris hit an 0-2 slider from Milwaukee reliever Aaron Ashby over the right field fence to give Atlanta an insurance run in the top of the ninth. It was the 21st homer of the season for Harris and it helped NL East-leading Atlanta win for only the second time in seven games.

Dubon’s hit to right field in the second inning bounced up and over the wall for a run-scoring ground rule double. He later walker, advanced to third on a single by Austin Riley and scored on a fielding error by Milwaukee first baseman Andrew Vaughn in the sixth.

Sean Murphy drove in the other Atlanta run on an infield single in the top of the fourth.

Mahle (5-10) allowed one run on six hits in five innings to earn the win. Raisel Iglesias got pinch-hitter Gary Sanchez to pop out with the potential tying run on third base in the eighth, and then pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 27th save.

Jake Bauers drove in the first run for Milwaukee with an RBI single. Drohan (6-5) took the loss after allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings for the Brewers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped and lost for only the second time in eight games.

Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell was hit by a 94 mph fastball by Mahle while trying to bunt in the fourth inning and left the game with a bruised forearm. Mitchell was replaced by rookie outfielder Luis Lara, who had an RBI triple in the eighth.

Up next

The Braves host the Dodgers in a series that starts Tuesday. Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (8-7, 3.92 ERA) is to face Los Angeles RHP Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 2.72) for Los Angeles.

The Brewers travel to New York to face the Mets on Tuesday. Milwaukee LHP Kyle Harrison (10-3, 2.84) will face Mets LHP Zac Thornton (3-4, 3.04).

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