Swanson homers again as Braves edge Nationals 6-5
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dansby Swanson homered for the third straight game and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 6-5 Sunday to sweep the series.
Swanson hit a two-run drive to center to increase the Braves' lead to 3-0 in the third. It was his 24th home run of the season, a total that includes two from Saturday and another Friday for four of Atlanta's 11 homers in the three-game set.
“I don't say anything to him,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said when asked what advice he's been giving Swanson during this hot streak. “I don't want to screw it up.”
The Braves have won a franchise-best eight straight games in Washington and 10 of 12 overall. They pulled a game ahead of Philadelphia for the NL East lead.
Jesse Chavez (3-2) allowed two runs on three hits, and Will Smith worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 25th save. Smith allowed two walks but struck out Victor Robles and Juan Soto.
The Nationals have lost a season-high seven straight and are 10-30 since July 1.
Washington tied it with a three-run third. Robles had an RBI single, Adrian Sanchez scored on a wild pitch from Braves starter Drew Smyly and Soto had an RBI sacrifice fly to score Robles.
Freddie Freeman momentarily took the team lead with his 25th homer to lead off the fifth. Two pitches later, Austin Riley joined him with his 25th of the season as the Braves took a 5-3 lead and knocked out Nationals starter Paolo Espino (3-4) in the process.
“At any point in time someone could go yard,” Riley said. “It's impressive. It just shows the depth. No matter the situation we are never out of it. It's been a fun run.”
PADRES 8, DIAMONDBACKS 2
PHOENIX (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. homered twice and drove in four runs in his return from the injured list, and the San Diego Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-2 on Sunday.
The 22-year-old Tatis had four hits, helping the Padres snap a four-game losing streak. It was Tatis' fifth multihomer game this season and No. 8 for his career.
Playing right field for the first time in his professional career and batting leadoff, Tatis ripped a double down the third-base line to start the game.
He hit his first homer of the afternoon in the third — a towering solo shot that cleared the wall in left. His 33rd homer came in the fifth and was more of a low liner, but cleared the wall in approximately the same spot and gave the Padres a 2-1 lead.
Jake Cronenworth's two-run homer later in the fifth pushed San Diego ahead 4-1. It was his 17th of the season.
Tatis added a bases-loaded single in the eighth that brought home Victor Caratini and Trent Grisham. Tatis had been on the injured list since July 31 after partially dislocating his left shoulder for the third time this season.
YANKEES 5, WHITE SOX 3
CHICAGO (AP) — Rougned Odor hit a two-run homer, Nestor Cortes pitched six solid innings and the New York Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3 on Sunday.
Luke Voit also hit a two-run homer in the ninth for
New York, which went 5-1 in the season series against Chicago. Cortes (1-1) allowed one run and seven hits in his first win since Aug. 6, 2019, versus Baltimore.
New York lost the series opener Thursday night on Tim Anderson's two-run homer in the ninth in the Field of Dreams game in Iowa. Following a day off, the Yankees responded with two straight wins.
New York has won 10 of its last 11 series. It is a season-high 13 games over .500 at 65-52.
Manager Aaron Boone said he didn't believe the team was going to break down even when it was 41-40 on July 3.
“I really felt like with this group there is an underlying confidence that has existed even in our worst of days this year,” he said. “Maybe at times, maybe not rightfully so, but I do believe they always believed we were going to turn this around and we were going to get them rolling. I don't think that belief ever wavered even in the worst of days.”
Andrew Vaughn hit his 14th homer for the AL Central-leading White Sox, who have dropped four of five. Lucas Giolito (9-9) lasted just four innings, throwing 101 pitches.
“Believe me, we were hunting innings, but we tried to be smart and used discretion to protect our outstanding starters then the bullpen came in and held them,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa said.
Chicago rallied in the ninth. Zack Collins hit an RBI double before Lucas Luetge was replaced by Wandy Peralta.
Anderson made it 5-3 when he drove in Luis Robert with an infield hit, but Peralta got César Hernández to bounce into a game-ending double play. It was Peralta's fourth save.