The Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr., left, and Ender Inciarte celebrate after scoring on a two-run base hit by Freddie Freeman in the second inning of Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Atlanta won 5-3 for its third straight victory against the Phillies and clinched the NL East title with more than a week left in the regular season.ATLANTA – Freddie Freeman stood soaked in champagne with music blaring and his teammates jamming in celebration.
This was just how the longtime star first baseman envisioned it when the Atlanta Braves began spring training seven months ago.
“You could tell after the first week of workouts that we had the talent to do something special,” Freeman said. “Obviously we still needed to put it together. But this is what happens. You win the division after three straight 90-loss seasons.”
The Braves continued a most surprising season by clinching their first NL East crown since 2013 on Saturday, with Mike Foltynewicz taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning in a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
A year after going 70-92, manager Brian Snitker and his Baby Braves surged back into the playoffs. A loud crowd at SunTrust Park joined the party when rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. caught a flyout to end the game, setting off another round of the tomahawk chop and a big celebration on the field.