WASHINGTON – Dansby Swanson keeps hitting home runs, the Atlanta Braves keep winning, and manager Brian Snitker knows when it’s time to keep quiet and enjoy the show.
“I don’t say anything to him,” Snitker said when asked what advice he’s been giving the 27-year-old shortstop during his hot streak. “I don’t want to screw it up.”
Swanson homered for the third straight game as Atlanta beat the Washington Nationals 6-5 on Sunday afternoon to sweep the three-game series and take sole possession of first place in the National League East Division for the first time this season.
Swanson hit a two-run drive to center field to increase the lead to 3-0 in the third inning. It was his 24th home run of the season, a total that includes two from Saturday night’s game and another from the game before that for four of Atlanta’s 11 homers in the series at Nationals Park, where the Braves have won a franchise-best eight straight.
Atlanta, seeking its fourth straight NL East title, won for the 10th time in its past 12 games and pulled a game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies after entering the day tied for the division lead. Not so long ago, the Braves were five games out of first and struggling to get their record above .500 for the first time this year.