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Braves get first home sweep

 
Freddie Freeman, right, celebrates with Adonis Garcia after hitting a two-run home run in a victory over the Padres.
Freddie Freeman, right, celebrates with Adonis Garcia after hitting a two-run home run in a victory over the Padres.
Published Sept. 2, 2016

ATLANTA — In a largely forgettable season, the Braves finally have reason to gloat a bit.

They swept a three-game series at Turner Field for the first time this year Thursday.

And, get this: They've scored at least seven runs in five straight home games — the first time that's happened since 1953.

Freddie Freeman homered and the Braves had a five-run fifth inning in a 9-6 victory over the Padres 9-6.

"We're not having the kind of season we wanted to," Freeman said. "But we want to finish strong."

One day after Minnesota dipped below Atlanta to the worst record in the majors, the Braves kept on winning behind a six solid innings from Mike Foltynewicz and another strong showing from the offense.

It was the first time they've had five consecutive home games with at least seven runs since Aug. 7-10, 1953, the team's debut season in Milwaukee.

"We don't want the worst record in baseball," Freeman said. "We're trying to take care of business in September so we don't have that."

Foltynewicz needed nine pitches to retire the Padres in order in the first inning and was perfect through three with 20 strikes among 29 pitches.

Former Ray Wil Myers hit a two-run homer for the Padres.

The Braves face the Phillies tonight with right-hander Joel De La Cruz again seeking his first big-league win. He is 0-7 with a 4.66 ERA in 15 games — eight starts — since being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett.

Marlins 6, Mets 4: Christian Yelich showed off his bat, legs and glove, capped by hitting a three-run homer that helped visiting Miami end a season-worst five-game losing streak. Yelich homered and singled twice, drove in four runs and stole two bases. He made a dashing, diving catch in center field with the bases loaded and two outs, making up for later dropping a routine fly for an error.

TROUT OKAY AFTER ACCIDENT: Angels star Mike Trout was not hurt in a crash involving three cars after a home game Wednesday night. Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Trout was home and was planning to travel with the club Thursday to Seattle. One person was taken to the hospital; the person's condition was not known. According to police, Trout swerved left to avoid stopped traffic and his Mercedes hit the rear of a Chevrolet, pushing and spinning it into the rear of a GMC.

CUBS: Right-hander John Lackey is expected to return from a strained right shoulder and start Sunday against the Giants. Also, outfielder Chris Coghlan (ribs), from East Lake, was activated.

INDIANS: Right-hander Danny Salazar was activated from the paternity list.

METS: Second baseman Neil Walker plans to have surgery for a herniated disk in his back and will miss the rest of the season. Recovery is estimated at three months.