Braves' new-look lineup secures series win

Albies ties for NL lead with 9 homers; rookie phenom Acuna continues hot streak

April 29th, 2018

PHILADELPHIA -- Brian Snitker made some lineup adjustments prior to Sunday's series finale against the Phillies. The Braves made their manager look smart, but Snitker isn't taking credit.
"It's the same guys, we just moved them around a little bit," Snitker said.
The National League's best offense had another great day at the plate as the Braves cruised past the Phillies, 10-1, in the rubber match of a three-game set. The victory clinched Atlanta's third series win over the Phillies in as many tries during the season's first month.
One of the players Snitker moved around was , who had a three-hit day and was the catalyst of a five-run third inning out of the No. 9 spot in the lineup.

Inciarte was moved down in the order as Snitker tried to take some pressure off the Braves' usual leadoff hitter. Inciarte had just two extra-base hits through his first 25 games in 2018. He went 3-for-4 with a triple, double and a walk Sunday.
"He was turning the bat loose," Snitker said of Inciarte. "I loved his approach today and how he attacked the ball. It was a good overall day.
Inciarte started the Braves' five-run third inning with a triple off Phillies starter Vince Velasquez. , who took over the leadoff spot, followed with a walk and stolen base. They both scored as grounded through the shift for a two-run single with two outs.

broke the game open with a three-run homer before Velasquez got the final out of the third.
Albies homers on first pitch, ties for NL lead (9)
It was the first time since 2016 that Inciarte was penciled into the starting lineup somewhere other than the leadoff spot. Snitker said he's unsure how long he'll keep him in the No. 9 hole, but plans to do it again Tuesday when the Braves open a three-game series against the Mets.
"[The lineup has] a lot of balance," Snitker said. "I'm not used to the pitcher hitting eighth, it wasn't something I was a fan of. But in some situations it might be the way to go … If this thing goes, we'll run with it."

The Braves added three more runs in the eighth, as Inciarte, Albies and hit three consecutive doubles. The trio of Inciarte, Albies and Acuna combined for seven hits in 12 at-bats. Six of those hits went for extra bases, including a leadoff homer from Albies on the first pitch of the game.
"I like the way we played today," Albies said. "We're having fun on the field."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Camargo goes yard: In his 15th at-bat of the season, Johan Camargo launched his first home run. He lifted the first pitch from Velasquez in the third inning deep to right field for a three-run shot that was the biggest blow in the Braves' five-run frame. Camargo's homer (estimated at 348 feet, per Statcast™) was helped on a day where the wind was blowing out to right field at Citizens Bank Park. It was the 24-year-old utility man's fifth career homer and his first since Sept. 9, 2017.

Another first for Acuna: Acuna recorded his first Major League steal in the seventh inning, swiping second base after a walk. Acuna, who had 44 steals in the Minors last season, reached base three times in the win with two doubles and two walks. His steal was one of three in the game for the Braves.

Biddle with the bat: Braves reliever and Philadelphia native recorded his first Major League hit in the ninth inning, sending a ball down the left-field line for a double. The hit off Phillies reliever came in Biddle's first Major League plate appearance. Biddle, who was a first-round Draft pick of the Phillies in 2010 and made his big league debut on April 21, finished off the win with two scoreless innings on the mound. "My dad has been telling me I'm a big league hitter for a long time now, ever since I was in Little League," Biddle said. "So I'm sure he feels like he's been proven right. I closed my eyes. Luis Garcia is a good friend of mine, he has a disgusting sinker. I got very lucky."

SOUND SMART
At 16-11, the Braves finished April with a winning record for the first time since the 2014 season when they entered May at 17-9.
HE SAID IT
"I made some terrible pitches to get myself into it. But at least I cleaned up my mess. It set a nice tone for the day, didn't put us in a deficit early. I was proud of getting out of that." -- , on getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning
McCarthy picked up his third win against the Phillies in as many tries, giving up just one run on five hits over 5 1/3 innings.

UP NEXT
The Braves are off on Monday before starting a three-game series against the Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. ET. Left-hander will be on the mound for the Braves, who have taken two of their first three games against the Mets this season. Newcomb has a 3.09 ERA and 28 strikeouts over 23 1/3 innings in his last four starts. He opposes Mets flamethrower .