Braves 2, Indians 0
Elliot Johnson tripled home the game’s only runs and rookie Alex Wood continued his August dominance as host Atlanta won the series opener.
Wood (3-2) allowed five hits in 5 2/3 innings, improving to 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in five August starts. Craig Kimbrel posted his major-league leading 42nd save as the Braves improved their home record to a major-league best 45-18 and remained 13 games ahead of Washington in the National League East.
Cleveland, opening a critical nine-game stretch against the Braves, Detroit and Baltimore, mustered just six hits. Starter Danny Salazar (1-2) allowed two runs on three hits in four innings for the Indians, who trail Oakland for the final AL wild-card spot by three games.
Johnson tripled over the outstretched glove of right fielder Drew Stubbs with two outs in the second, scoring Brian McCann and Joey Terdoslavich. Chris Johnson, who is second in the NL in hitting at .331, went 1-for-3.
Cleveland’s Asdrubal Cabrera went 3-for-4, extending his hitting streak to eight games. The Indians drew five walks, but finished 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cleveland OF Ryan Raburn did not start for the 14th time in the past 17 games due to left heel and right calf soreness. … Elliot Johnson is 5-for-18 in five games with Atlanta. … Kimbrel has converted 32 consecutive saves.