Braves' postseason goals grow after another division title

ATLANTA (AP) — One year ago, just winning the NL East was enough for the rebuilding Atlanta Braves. Now manager Brian Snitiker and general manager Alex Anthopoulos expect more. Even as players celebrated their second straight division title with beer and bubbly on Friday night, focus shifted. "Our first...

Braves beat Giants 6-0, clinch 2nd straight NL East title

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves clinched their second straight NL East title as Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his 41st homer in a 6-0 win over San Francisco on Friday night that eliminated the Giants from postseason contention in Bruce Bochy's last year as San Francisco manager. Acuña scored three runs...

Braves clinch 2nd straight NL East title, eliminate Giants

ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman didn't care that his eyes kept tearing up from all the beer and champagne soakings. It seemed like every teammate stopped by to blast him, and he loved every minute of it. "This is the first step of hopefully a few celebrations to come," he said with a big, wet smile. "We're...

Atlanta Braves clinch second straight NL East title

LEADING OFF: Braves set to clinch, Cubs try to regroup

A look at what's happening around the majors today: POPPIN' Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A...

LEADING OFF: Braves set to clinch, Cubs try to regroup

A look at what's happening around the majors Friday: POPPIN' Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves are poised to break out the bubbly, with a magic number of one to clinch their second straight NL East title. They can celebrate when Mike Foltynewicz (7-5, 4.80 ERA) starts at SunTrust Park against San Francisco. A...

Acuña hits 40th HR, Braves clinch tie for first in NL East

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. was pumped to join a very exclusive club. He's even more thrilled about the chance to properly celebrate a division title. Acuña became the second-youngest player in baseball history to hit 40 homers in a season, Freddie Freeman also drove in two runs and the...

Acuña becomes third player to hit 40 homers at 21 or younger

ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves has become only the third player in baseball history to hit 40 homers while 21 years old or younger. The other two were Eddie Mathews and Mel Ott, who are both in the Hall of Fame. The 21-year-old Acuña launched a two-run shot Thursday in the...

Harper, Eflin power Phillies to 4-1 win over Braves

ATLANTA (AP) — Zach Eflin insists the Philadelphia Phillies won't go down without a fight. "We have the guys in the clubhouse to do it and get there and make a postseason run," he said. "We're looking forward to riding the momentum in these coming days and the next series we have and really do just...

Hoskins, Pirela hit 2-run HRs as Phillies stop Braves 5-4

ATLANTA (AP) — Rhys Hoskins and the Philadelphia Phillies haven't given up on their NL wild card hopes. Beating the first-place Atlanta Braves helped the Phillies keep the faith. Hoskins and Jose Pirela hit two-run homers off Dallas Keuchel in Philadelphia's five-run fourth inning and the Phillies escaped...