Southern hospitality is alive and well at SunTrust Park as the Braves’ faithful flocked to The Battery Atlanta to support the hometown team Friday night. The Braves will face off against the San Diego Padres in the second game of the series at 7:35 p.m., and the support was evident early on as standing-room-only tickets were offered five hours before the first pitch.
While starter Sean Newcomb takes the same approach toward every game, sold-out crowd or not, he said the influx of fans adds a little something extra to the game.
“Early on (while) getting ready for the game, knowing there’s a sold-out crowd or if there’s some special event going on definitely adds a little bit more to the atmosphere,” he said.
The Massachusetts native added that Atlanta fans differ from those in his home state.
“(The fans) are probably a little more polite,” he said. “They’re maybe equally as intense (as fans up north), but polite would be a better word for people down here in the south. … Up in Fenway (Park), and areas around there, can get a little testy.”
Left fielder Preston Tucker is accustomed to the southern charm and plays off the crowd’s energy.
“Obviously the players feed off the fans. Being as good as we are to start the season, I think the support means just as much,” he said before the game. “We got a lot of guys who are trying to make the All-Star team. The fans showing up and supporting those guys shows how into the season they are and how into us potentially making the playoffs.”
Three Braves currently top the leaderboards for the National League’s All-Star spots with first baseman Freddie Freeman receiving the most votes in the league.
Ozzie Albies ranks first among second basemen while right fielder Nick Markakis sits in second among outfielders. Starting catcher Kurt Suzuki also got a nod from fans on the ballots as he is third for catchers after the first update.
“It’s just one of those things where recognition is always cool, but at the same time, nobody pays attention too much about it,” Suzuki said when asked about the results. “Just keep focusing on helping the team win games, and I think everything will take care of itself.”
If the Braves’ current ranking is any indication, everything is indeed taking care of itself. After downing the San Diego Padres 4-2 on Thursday night to continue a three-game win streak, the Braves increased their lead in the NL East.
The expected 41,149-some fans who will attend the second game of the series against San Diego on Friday night expect a repeat of Thursday’s performance.
“It’s just a testament to what we’re doing — playing good baseball,” Newcomb said when asked about the number of spectators. “It was our 40th win last night, so everything’s going really well lately.”
The Braves will look to claim their 41st win and get an edge over the Padres in the series.
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