Washington Nationals are handed a sweep by Atlanta Braves for the first time since 2009-MLB Update
Sunday night saw the Atlanta Braves finishing a sweep of the Washington Nationals for the first time since 2009. It has taken impeccable outings by their pitchers and excellent offensive shows by the batters of Atlanta.
In the beginning of the season Atlanta had a relatively weaker rotation but their offence was impressive. Lop-sided version of their expertise did not allow them to perform well against the tougher oppositions. For the same reason they were unable to keep
the Nationals from clinching victories against them earlier.
However, since the beginning of the second half, they have inducted quality pitchers on rotation. Few adjustments in the rotation from the management have rendered their pitching staff as an extremely effective one.
In-fact they are standing almost at par now with the Nationals when it comes to pitching, considering the fact the latter are without Stephen Strasburg.
Braves have assigned Kris Medlen the starting role now after he acted as a reliever at the start of the season. This move has turned out to be an instant success for the team as he is winning matches on a regular basis.
Above all, he is striking-out so many batters in every game. Along with him, Tim Hudson and Paul Maholm have made the team’s rotation as one of the most formidable ones in the National League East Division.
The revamped rotation can be cited as the biggest reason behind the completion of the sweep of the Nationals by the Braves.
This is more so in light of the fact that they enjoy an extremely competent offence which can turn even a little support from the hurlers into victories.
Jones views the success against the Nationals as a great achievement because he believes they have been one of the teams the Braves have difficulty in winning against.
“I think it was just big for us to kind of prove to ourselves that we could come out and play good consistent baseball against them for three straight games,” said Chipper Jones. “…You’ve got to clear certain humps along the way, and the Nationals are one
of those humps for us.”
Around the same time last year Braves suffered a humiliating slump. They will be happy as they are on-course this year.
They will be looking to make something big out of their current momentum.
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