ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Chris Sale struck out 10 times in his 14th win and Marcell Ozuna hit 3 for 3 and hit an early three-run home run as the Atlanta Braves swept the Los Angeles Angels 11-3 on Saturday night.

Whit Merrifield and Ramón Laureano also hit home runs for the Braves, who improved their record to 5-3 after a six-game losing streak and remained one game ahead of the New York Mets for the National League’s final playoff spot.

Sale (14-3) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks in six innings, tying Detroit ace Tarik Skubal for the most wins in the major leagues. The eight-time All-Star was 8-0 in 11 appearances (nine starts) against the Angels and had a 1.24 ERA – his lowest against any team he has faced at least 10 times.

For Sale, it was the third consecutive game with double-digit strikeouts and the sixth this season.

Nolan Schanuel had three hits for the Angels and Kevin Pillar scored two runs against his former club, so Los Angeles fell to 1-4 after six home games. Griffin Canning (4-11) allowed seven runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings, which is a season high.

The Braves took a 3-0 lead three batters into the game when Michael Harris II hit a double, Austin Riley hit a single and Ozuna hit a home run to center field, his 36th. They increased their lead to 4-0 in the second inning on an RBI single by Harris.

Atlanta tied the game with five runs in the fifth inning. Merrifield hit a home run, Travis d’Arnaud hit a two-run double and Laureano followed with a two-run home run.

A rare Angels highlight came in the sixth inning. Left fielder Taylor Ward attempted a sliding catch along the free throw line, but the ball slipped from his glove and bounced off his leg before he caught it in his lap and was eliminated.

The Angels broke through against Sale in the sixth inning with an RBI double from Pillar, who later scored on a wild pitch.

TRAINING ROOM

Braves: After being hit by a pitch on the inside of his right forearm in the seventh inning, d’Arnaud was replaced at catcher by Sean Murphy in the bottom half of the inning. … OF Ronald Acuña Jr., who is out until 2025, said his rehab from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee is going well and vowed not to rush his return like he did after surgery on his right ACL in 2021. … OF Jorge Soler was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game because of a strained left thigh.

Angels: RHP José Soriano went to the 15-day injured list because of right arm fatigue, while INF Luis Rengifo (wrist) was moved to the 60-day IL. RHP José Cisnero (shoulder) was recalled from the IL. … 3B Anthony Rendon was not in the lineup after being hit by a pitch on the right elbow on Friday.

Next

Braves: RHP Charlie Morton (6-7, 4.40 ERA) had a season-high eight strikeouts in a six-inning no-decision game against the Giants on Tuesday.

Angels: RHP Jack Kochanowicz (1-2, 7.98) will make his fourth career start and first since his first major league win last Sunday against the Nationals.

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