World Series MVP Jorge Soler leads Atlanta Braves to first championship since 1995

Hip hip Jorge!

Led by World Series MVP Jorge Soler, the Atlanta Braves defeated the host Houston Astros, 7-0, Tuesday night to win their first world championship since 1995. The Braves won the series in six games.

Soler, a native of Havana, Cuba, put the Braves on the board with a three-run home run in the third inning. The designated hitter hit .300 with three home runs, six RBI and six runs scored during the Fall Classic to become the second Cuban-born player to win the World Series MVP. Florida Marlins pitcher Livan Hernandez won the award in 1997.

"Obviously, I'm very excited," Soler said via interpreter Franco Garcia. "I'm very honored to be the second Cuban player to win this award."

Soler is the fourth Brave to hit three home runs in a single World Series, joining Hank Aaron (1957), Lonnie Smith (1991) and Ryan Klesko (1995).

The Braves increased their lead to 5-0 on shortstop Dansby Swanson's two-run home run in the fifth inning. Later in the frame, Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman made it 6-0 with his RBI double that drove in Soler.

"There's no place that deserves it more than the city of Atlanta," Swanson said. ". . . This is the toughest team I've ever been a part of."

Freeman capped the scoring with his solo home run in the seventh inning.

"I'm at a loss for words," said Freeman, the 2020 National League MVP. "Hitting a home run in a World Series is pretty cool."

Braves starting pitcher Max Fried allowed four hits over six scoreless innings to pick up the win for Atlanta.

"I couldn't be happier to do it with this group of guys," Fried said.

"I'm numb. This is the greatest thing in the world," said Atlanta manager Brian Snitker, who has worked for the Braves organization for 44 years in various capacities.