CHICAGO — Austin Riley hit a three-run homer, Charlie Morton threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the Chicago White Sox 9-0 on Monday in a game shortened to eight innings because of rain.
The 40-year-old Morton (1-0) — the oldest starter in the majors this season — allowed three hits, walked two and struck out six in his season debut to hand Chicago its fourth loss in as many games. Riley’s homer, off reliever Dominic Leone, came one pitch after the end of a 44-minute rain delay. He finished the day with four RBIs.
The game was halted again after the eighth and called a few minutes later.
Atlanta got at least one hit from each of its nine starters and is off to a 3-1 start on its season-opening road trip.
Chicago starter Chris Flexen (0-1) gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings while giving up six hits and three walks in his first game with the club.
Travis D’Arnaud started the scoring when he ran in on Ronald Acuña’ Jr.'s fielder’s choice in the third and Orlando Arcia widened the advantage an inning later with a two-run double.
Morton gave up a hit in each of the first three innings but settled down and retired his final 11 batters before leaving with two outs in the sixth. Relievers Dylan Lee and Tyler Matzek finished the shutout.
Yoán Moncada had a pair of hits for the White Sox, who have started 0-4 for first time since 2015.
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox: There was no update on DH Eloy Jiménez, who didn’t start a day after leaving a loss to Detroit with left adductor soreness. Gavin Sheets took his spot in the lineup. … Chicago traded minor-league RHP Jake Cousins to the New York Yankees for cash considerations.
UP NEXT
Former White Sox RHP Reynaldo López makes his first start of the season against LHP Garrett Crochet (0-1, 1.50 ERA) on Tuesday night.
