Inciarte picking right time to heat up for Braves

PHILADELPHIA -- Ender Inciarte picked the perfect time for what he and the Braves are hoping proves to be a breakout performance.

Though it may have been overshadowed by Ozzie Albies' grand slam and Adam Duvall homering in his 2019 debut with the Braves, Inciarte went 2-for-4 with a homer of his own and three RBIs in Saturday's 15-7 win over the Phillies. That came on the same day the Braves found out they will be without everyday right fielder Nick Markakis for the next six to eight weeks due to a fractured left wrist.

Inciarte's two hits snapped an 0-for-11 stretch since coming off the injured list on July 18, and the three RBIs matched his total from his previous 21 games combined. He homered for the second straight day in the Braves' 9-4 loss on Sunday, a three-run shot that put Atlanta in striking distance at the time.

"Hopefully that’s one of those things that gets Ender going, because it’s really comforting having him in center field," manager Brian Snitker said. "I’ve seen what he can do offensively, and that was nice to see [Saturday night]."

Inciarte's homer on Saturday -- his first since April 27 and just third of the season -- triggered the Braves' offensive barrage. He jumped all over a 1-2 fastball at the top of the zone, sending it over the right-field wall for a two-run shot to give Atlanta an early 2-0 lead.

Inciarte knew it was gone the moment he hit it, tossing his bat to the side and putting his head down as he started to jog down the line.

"It felt great," he said. "My swing is getting better, I’m getting more confident and hopefully I’m just going to continue to get better, and hopefully help the team until the end."

Inciarte hit just .218 (27-for-124) over his first 40 games before landing on the injured list with a lumbar strain on May 15. He missed 55 games before returning to the lineup more than two months later on July 18. Even before his two-hit, three-RBI effort on Saturday, Inciarte had worked three walks and scored three runs in his previous three games.

"It feels good," he said. "I haven’t had the type of year that I wanted, but I’ve still got a long ways to go."

Swanson optimistic about injury

Snitker said on Saturday that he was hoping shortstop Dansby Swanson (right foot contusion) would be ready to return from the injured list as soon as he is eligible.

Swanson echoed that sentiment prior to Sunday's game, adding that his right foot is already feeling better than it was a couple days ago. He originally sustained the injury while beating out a potential double play in Tuesday's game against the Royals.

"That’s what we’re always hoping for, so just kind of take it day by day," Swanson said. "Work to get better, and just see where we’re at once the 10 days is up."

With his IL stint backdated to Wednesday, Swanson could return as soon as Saturday against the Reds.

Though it's always frustrating not to be on the field, Swanson said he enjoyed watching the Braves' offensive outburst on the same day the club placed both Swanson and Markakis on the injured list. While Johan Camargo went 0-for-6 in Swanson's place, each of Atlanta's other eight starters had at least one hit and crossed the plate at least once as Atlanta matched a season high with 15 runs. It was also the most the Braves have scored on the road since Aug. 22, 2010 against the Cubs.

"It’s just what this team does -- guys pick each other up," Swanson said. "Whether it’s in-game, injuries happen, whatever it may be, we’re just always there for each other. That’s just kind of like the personality of this team."