The Braves are still trying to get above .500 for the first time in more than two years, but they’ve already proven they know how to come from behind in the late innings and win close games.
Their 4-3 win against the Diamondbacks on Friday, when the Braves scored twice in the eighth inning, was their majors-leading 15th win in their last at-bat, nearly twice as many wins as their opponents (eight).
“They’re resilient,” said manager Brian Snitker, whose Braves were 44-45 entering Sunday’s series finale against Arizona. “It’s a bunch of guys that get after it for nine innings. They’re never down, they’re never out of a game. If they’ve got an out left, they’ve got a chance. That’s good. It’s a great attribute to have for a club.”
Friday’s win improved the Braves’ record to 13-11 in one-run games, and they were 24-19 in games decided by two or fewer runs entering Sunday, after going 36-43 in those situations a year ago.
When the Braves scored six runs in their last three innings Saturday for an 8-5 win against the Diamondbacks, it was their 23rd comeback win out of 44 total wins before Sunday. By comparison, their opponents had come back to win 18 times against the Braves.
In games that have been tied after eight innings, the Braves had a 9-1 record entering Sunday’s series finale against Arizona. And they had had six “walk-off” wins to their opponents’ four this season.
Snitker believes their late-innings success and penchant for comebacks stems from the overall approach the veteran-laden team has shown since spring training.
“The day-in, day-out preparation, the even-keel type (attitude), the way they go about it,” Snitker said. “It’s just kind of the same every day. There’s not any highs or lows, you go in there and the guys are working. You come out here (pregame workouts), you see the guys every day working and just doing their programs and keeping themselves ready and prepared. So it’s a good thing to see. It’s nice when they’re rewarded for the hard work.”
The Braves entered Sunday trying to reach .500 for the first time since they were 6-6 this season and for the first time beyond April since they were 42-42 on July 7, 2015. They were last above .500 on June 1, 2015, when the Braves had 26-25 record.
