MIAMI: The Atlanta Braves’ latest victory was especially splashy: Evan Gattis’ three-run homer landed in the nightclub swimming pool beyond the left-field fence.
Two batters later, Juan Francisco homered off the upper-deck facade in center field.
The Braves had too much muscle for the feeble Miami Marlins and completed their second consecutive three-game sweep by winning 8-0 last night.
The homers came in a six-run fifth inning, when Atlanta broke open a game that had been scoreless.
‘’That’s real men hitting the baseball,’’ Braves outfielder Jordan Schafer said. ‘’That’s not little kids.’’
Mike Minor pitched 5 2-3 innings for the Braves, whose 8-1 record leads the majors. They’re off to their best start since 1994, when they began the season 13-1.
Atlanta takes a six-game winning streak into a three-game series at Washington beginning today. ‘’It’s good momentum,’’ manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ‘’Winning is always good. It’s a good feeling. It’s early, but you want to be the guy in front all the time.’’
Only three series into the season, Atlanta enjoys a seven-game lead over the Marlins, who have the worst record in the big leagues at 1-8. AP