Three Takeaways as Atlanta Braves sweep the San Diego Padres

The Atlanta Braves defeated the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Sunday afternoon, which gave them the series sweep.

For the first time since 2006, the Atlanta Braves swept the Padres at PetCo Park. Prior to this series, the Braves had lost 15 of their last 17 games in San Diego, which is crazy to think about.

The offense showed up when it often does — in the late innings. And Mike Soroka was tremendous allowing no runs and striking out a career-high nine batters.

With their win, the Atlanta Braves moved to 29-18 on the road, which is best in the National League.

But more importantly, the Nationals lost, so the lead in the division is now up to seven games.

What looked like a challenging road trip to places the Braves don’t necessarily play well at (San Diego and Milwaukee) is off to a really promising start.

Free wakes up

The Atlanta Braves scored 12 runs in the first two games of the series and shockingly Freddie Freeman did not record a hit in either game.

He was 0-for-3 in his first three at-bats Sunday (including a near miss to deep right field in the fourth inning) when he came up with runners on first and third with two outs in the eighth.

On the first pitch from Trey Wingenter, Freeman ambushed a fastball and put it a few rows deep into right field. It was his 23rd home run on the season.

It is particularly encouraging the Braves can win without any production from Freeman, but let’s be honest, there won’t be many 0-for-12’s from Freeman.

Freeman is now 12 homers from a career-high and there is over two months to go.

I’ll take the over.

Lineup reshuffled

As to be expected, Austin Riley is going through some growing pains in his first year in the big leagues.

In the month of July, Riley is 5-for-33 with two home runs, but also 14 strikeouts and three walks. Riley was moved to eighth in the order, with Ozzie Albies moving up to sixth.

I think this is a good move by Brian Snitker. Albies has been swinging the bat well and Riley can get more comfortable in the eighth spot.

Much like Albies last year in the second half, Riley is going through what most normal players go through.

Big week looming

This is a big stretch for the Atlanta Braves this week with two playoff hopefuls on the schedule.

Up first are the Brewers, who are 2.5 games back of the Cubs in the NL Central and a half-game back in the wild card.

The Braves are 3-3 over the past two seasons at Miller Park and took two-of-three from Milwaukee earlier this season at SunTrust Park.

Following the Brewers is a four-game home series against the red-hot Washington Nationals, who are 24-10 since June 1st, but have gained just one game on the Braves in the standings.

Washington opens this week with two games against the Orioles, who are the worst team in baseball.

While the Atlanta Braves are clearly in control of the division, a good week this week could put the Nationals in a deep hole with around 60 games remaining.