Michael Harris II’s blast helps propel Braves past Nationals again
The Braves have secured consecutive home wins and maintained their strong position atop the National League East as the trade deadline approaches Monday.
After a topsy-turvy road trip in which the team split six games, the Braves defeated the Nationals again Friday night, 6-2. They’ve secured at least a split of the four-game series at Truist Park.
Home fans were treated to a rarity: A Braves starter covered six innings. To be fair, it was Bryce Elder, who, along with Chris Sale, has covered his share of innings in a rotation that’s otherwise lacked length. Elder held the Nationals to one run on four hits.
“He gave us six innings on a night we certainly needed it,” manager Walt Weiss said.
The Braves are aching for longer outings from their starters, and that’s one reason the area is a priority over the next few days. They must address their rotation, whether that’s adding a playoff-caliber starter, a couple of innings-eaters, or a combination thereof, the staff needs help.
Meanwhile, the Braves’ bats played their part, teeing off on Foster Griffin, a potential trade candidate who’s enjoyed an All-Star season and might end up part of the Nationals’ future. The Braves tagged him for six runs on nine hits, including two home runs. It was an encouraging sign for an offense that’s produced 11 runs in two games after mustering 18 runs over six road contests prior.
Outfielder Michael Harris II provided the biggest blow in the sixth, pummeling Griffin’s middle-placed sweeper for a three-run homer. Harris won’t forget that he was an All-Star snub; perhaps the most criminal exclusion for the Braves in recent years. New Hall of Famer Andruw Jones mentioned that Harris should’ve been an All-Star while speaking with reporters Wednesday.
There will again be appreciation for reliever Elieser Hernandez, who covered the final three frames and spared the rest of the Braves’ bullpen. It was the second time in a week he’s done so. “He’s picked us up twice now, big time,” Weiss said.
The Braves are 10-5 since the All-Star break. They’re clearly flawed, but they’ve extended their division lead and are positioned well as a contender, though they must improve their pitching staff in the coming days to stack up appropriately against the Dodgers and Brewers in October.
“We have no control in that,” Harris said of trade talk. “We go out there with whoever we have. Obviously, in the past, (president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos) has done what he’s done and he got a World Series out of it, so we have to have enough trust in him to put together a great team for us.”
One prospect who’ll be difficult to include in trade conversations: Lefty Cam Caminiti, who struck out 14 over 6-2/3 innings in his outing with High-A Rome on Friday. Caminiti, the Braves’ top pitching prospect, turns 20 next week.
The Braves and Nationals continue their series Saturday when Reynaldo Lopez (4-3, 3.64) faces veteran Miles Mikolas (3-7, 5.65).