ATLANTA -- Buster Posey indulges in some southern hospitality every time he comes home to play the Braves. The Leesburg, Ga., native continued his career success Thursday night as he belted his 10th home run in the Giants' 12-11 loss to the Braves at SunTrust Park.
Posey ignited the Giants' offensive attack by starting a three-run second inning with a homer. His blast off Braves lefty Jaime Garcia was his sixth in 71 at-bats against a left-hander. He also added two doubles, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs.
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"It's huge, and I think he homers every time that he is in Atlanta," Giants reliever Kyle Crick said. "We were kind of just waiting on it and he did it. I think he hit two doubles as well. He is a superstar and that is what superstars do."
Posey has crushed Braves pitching throughout his nine-year career. He is batting .288 with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 42 career games against Atlanta. He has continued to swing a hot bat as he's fourth in the National League in batting average (.344).
Despite the Giants' 27-48 record, Posey has posted great numbers. He has reached base safely in 59 of 63 games and leads all NL catchers in voting, and is likely headed his fifth All-Star Game.
"He is the catalyst and one of the best in the world," Giants outfielder Hunter Pence said. "It's big to have him swinging the bat the way that he is doing."
The Giants' offense has struggled in 2017, but they did score 20 runs in the four-game series against the Braves. Posey's solid performance was supported by Brandon Belt (solo HR) and Joe Panik (solo HR, three RBIs).

Panik's homer traveled 401 feet with a 54 percent hit probability, according to Statcast™. However, the Giants couldn't piece together solid pitching and hitting as they lost three of four in the series.
The Giants return home to face the Mets in a three-game series starting Friday. They hope to get some good news on Eduardo Nunez's hamstring and turn their struggles around in front of their fans at AT&T Park.
"We had some good things and great comebacks, but we couldn't hold on," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "You win one game on an eight-game trip and that is not a good trip."