NL East champs again: Braves sweep Phillies for fourth straight title

AP photo by John Bazemore / Atlanta Braves leadoff hitter Jorge Soler is met by teammate Freddie Freeman after hitting a home run in the first inning of Thursday night's home game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves won 5-3 to sweep the three-game series and win the NL East Division for the fourth year in a row. AP photo by John Bazemore / Atlanta Braves leadoff hitter Jorge Soler is met by teammate Freddie Freeman after hitting a home run in the first inning of Thursday night's home game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves won 5-3 to sweep the three-game series and win the NL East Division for the fourth year in a row.

By PAUL NEWBERRY / The Associated Press September 30, 2021 6 min read

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves have won their division before – many, many times before – but this first-place finish felt a bit different.

More satisfying for sure.

After all, the Braves floundered under .500 for much of the season. They endured devastating injuries and grim legal problems. They had to essentially rebuild their outfield at Major League Baseball’s trade deadline just two months ago.

And yet there they were Thursday night, swigging champagne, puffing on cigars and celebrating another National League East championship.

Ian Anderson turned in another dominant pitching performance, Austin Riley and Jorge Soler homered to power the offense, and the Braves clinched their fourth straight division title by completing a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park with a 5-3 victory.