Streaking Braves riding Peterson's hot bat

June 22nd, 2016

MIAMI -- Freddie Freeman may have garnered all the attention after winning National League Player of the Week, but Jace Peterson deserves some warranted publicity.
The second baseman has been a key ingredient to the Braves' season-high six-game win streak, which was extended thanks to Peterson's efforts in a 3-2 extra-innings win over the Marlins at Marlins Park on Tuesday night.
Peterson drove in all three runs, slapping the go-ahead RBI single in the 10th off Mike Dunn and blasting the game-tying two-run homer in the eighth off David Phelps.

The 2-for-5 performance gave Peterson a hit in nine of 10 games since being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on June 10. Since then, he's 12-for-34 (.353) with two doubles, one home run, six RBIs and nine runs.
"He's been playing good," manager Brian Snitker said. "Since we've had him back, he's been swinging the bat better than what I remember in Triple-A and just kind of being the big catalyst for us."
After losing outfielder Mallex Smith to a fractured left thumb on Sunday, Peterson was bumped up in the order and assumed the leadoff spot for the first time this season. It's a familiar role for the 26-year-old, who spent 65 games atop the Braves' lineup last year.
Atlanta is now on its first six-game winning streak spanning a single season since taking nine in a row from June 27-July 5, 2014. The recently recalled Peterson is relishing his part in it.
"It seems like everyone's having fun," Peterson said. "Really, we just got a good thing going on right now. It's fun to come to the ballpark. We're not dwelling on the start of the season. We've still got a lot of ballgames to play. We're gonna give it hell and see what happens."