Atlanta Braves’ Andrelton Simmons, right, celebrates with B.J. Upton after driving in the game-winning run with a base hit in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Atlanta.ATLANTA – Andrelton Simmons believes winning close games in late September can only help the Braves in October.
Simmons’ single to the gap in right-center drove in Justin Upton with two outs in the ninth inning to give Atlanta a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.
It was Simmons’ third game-ending hit of the season and the Braves’ 24th win in their final at-bat. Simmons said it’s a good habit for the NL East champions to carry into the playoffs.
“It’s always good to have those close games and come out victorious and create that winning habit that we’ve had throughout the year,” Simmons said. “To keep that going into the postseason is big.”
Upton led off the ninth by hitting the first pitch from Donovan Hand (0-5) for a single to left. Freddie Freeman hit a fly ball to deep center for the first out before Evan Gattis, who had three hits, hit a grounder that Scooter Gennett bobbled behind second base for an infield hit, leaving runners at first and second.