Braves are titled in the East after five years

[Blexfraptor]

 

The Atlanta Braves, led by the Venezuelan prodigy Ronald Acuña Jr., can already think about the Major League playoffs
AP | ATLANTA.- Freddie Freeman was soaked in champagne while the music resounded and his classmates danced in celebration.

It was just what veteran first baseman had imagined when the Atlanta Braves started their spring camp seven months ago.

"It was noticeable from the first week of practice that we had the talent to do something special," Freeman said. "Obviously, we still needed to join the pieces. But this is what happens. You win the division after three 90-loss seasons. "

The Braves capped off a surprise season by securing their first National League Eastern Division title since 2013 thanks to Mike Foltynewicz leading a no-hitter until the seventh inning of Saturday's 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

A year after finishing with a 70-92 mark, manager Brian Snitker and the Braves youth, led by the Venezuelan prodigy Ronald Acuña Jr., can already think about the playoffs.

"When we started this series, we knew it was within our reach," Snitker said. "We knew that today we could not distract ourselves. I know I sound redundant saying this all the time, but I felt that we needed to stay the same and worry only about today's game. The guys have done an incredible job this year. "

Atlanta will have a presence in the postseason for the first time since 2013 on October 4, when they start their division series. It remains to determine the opponent for the match of five games.

The Braves won their fourth straight game and beat Philadelphia, their bodyguards in the division, for the third day in a row. The Phillies, who led the division in early August, deflated in September, 6-14 this month.

Foltynewicz (12-10) was relieved with runners in first and second in the second. He allowed two hits, two runs, three walks and five strikeouts, in 7 1/3 innings.

Philadelphia managed to get close when reliever Jesse Biddle conceded a ticket to the first batter he faced and then César Hernández hit a single with the bases full that brought two runs. Brad Brach allowed a single tug to Rhys Hoskins, but Jonny Venters eased the attack with a line that Acuña caught in the left forest and a play of choice.

Kurt Suzuki put the final 5-3 with a single tug in the eighth against Dominican Seranthony Dominguez, the seventh pitcher of Philadelphia.

The Dominican Arodys Vizcaino, in his first situation for saved since June 17, took charge of the ninth for his 16th rescue in 18 opportunities.

Atlanta did not appear in the forecasts to get into the playoffs to start the campaign.

They came from three consecutive seasons with at least 90 defeats and did not have a legitimate ace in the rotation either. A contingent of young players completed first baseman Freeman, the only power hitter they had in the lineup and one of the two current Braves players who were part of the team that won the division in 2013.

The organization suffered the humiliation of its former general manager John Coppolella, suspended for life from Major League Baseball for a scandal of player signings in Latin America.

But Atlanta took first place on May 2 and did not relinquish it again after a 9-1 victory against Miami on August 13. Supported by the emergence of young talents such as Acuña, second baseman Ozzie Albies Curacao and third base Camargo, the Braves return to the postseason.