Braves go four in a row against Phillies
For the first time since the 1960s, when the Braves were in Milwaukee, Atlanta swept the Philadelphia Phillies on the road in a four game series.
It was B.J. Upton who tripled and drove in two runs to lead streaking Atlanta to its first four- game sweep in Philadelphia in 50 years on Sunday.
The Braves were headed into a three-game home stand against the New York Mets after press time on Monday, and look to keep their National League East league in the series.
Over the weekend, the Braves toppled in the Phillies with a Friday win, going 4-2 on Friday, then following up with a doubleheader win on Saturday of 10-3 and 5-1, followed by the 3-2 win Sunday.
It was the Braves’ first four-game sweep in Philadelphia since Sept. 24-27, 1964, when the franchise was in Milwaukee and their four wins at Connie Mack Stadium contributed to the Phillies’ infamous season-ending collapse that year.
The 44-38 Braves look to hold onto their above .500 average for the season as they finish off with the Mets today, then head into a three-game home series against the Arizona Diamondbacks starting Friday evening.
The Braves also finsihed off a road series with the Houston Astros last week, taking two of three games midweek. Atlanta took the first two games of the series with a 3-2 win in game 1 and a 4-0 win in game 2, but dropped game 3 in a 6-1 loss.
After finishing up with the Mets and Diamondbacks, the Braves will be back on the road leading up to the All Star break.
Atlanta will also be taking Thursday off ahead of their Independence day game against the Diamondbacks.
Keeping track of the injury list, the Braves will be getting pitcher David Carpenter back from the DL after he finishes at the Triple A Gwinnett Braves for a rehab assignment for a strained right bicep.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez expects the reliever to be ready to return to the mound in Atlanta possibly as soon as tonight.
Gavin Floyd, who injured his right elbow during mid-June play, underwent a season-ending surgery on June 25.
Slugger and left fielder Evan Gattis is currently also day-to-day on the injury list after experiencing back spasms. He was not on to play during the weekend games against Philadelphia.
He came out early against the Phillies during the Braves’ first game.
Pitcher Pedro Beato also remains on the 15day DL due to right elbow soreness.
Johny Venters, who underwent Tommy John’s surgery in 2013, remains on the DL for at least another three to five weeks as he continues his recovery.
The Braves are also holding a special event tonight ahead of the July 4 holiday.
According to their website, the team is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will host a special Naturalization Ceremony at Turner Field for 1,500 people at 11:00 am.
All Naturalized Citizens that attend the game tonight will partici- pate in a pregame parade on the warning track and will be recognized prior to the game.
Fireworks will follow the Braves’ first game against the Diamondbacks in celebration of the holiday as well.