SAN DIEGO – The Atlanta Braves headed home from a western swing on a hot streak they hope to continue in their biggest series of the season.
Will Smith struck out the side around three walks in the ninth inning to finish the Braves’ 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday, which opened a 2 1/2-game lead for the National League East Division leaders over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies, who had won five straight before losing 6-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier in the afternoon.
The Braves are the three-time reigning division champions, and after taking Monday off they welcome the Phillies to Truist Park for a three-game series. Atlanta’s magic number for clinching the NL East title is five, meaning a Braves sweep would extend their reign.
“This is what you play for,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do in the next week.”
After facing Atlanta, Philadelphia ends with a three-game road series against the Miami Marlins. The Braves close at home with three games against the New York Mets, with a makeup game against the Colorado Rockies possible on Oct. 4 if it’s needed to decide the NL East.