August 14, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (second left) and his teammates celebrate defeating the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports The Atlanta Braves are coming off a four-game road sweep of the San Francisco Giants for the first time in 68 years, as the National League playoff contenders wrap up their season series on Thursday afternoon.
Going into the game Monday, the Braves were separated by just 1 1/2 games, having lost 7 of 8 heading into the showdown series, while the Giants had won 4 of 5 to narrow the NFC. Wild Card Game Gap.
However, Travis d’Arnaud’s overtime RBI singles on Monday and Tuesday and Michael Harris II’s first-inning grand slam on Wednesday gave Atlanta its third straight victory over San Francisco.
The last time the Braves swept the Giants in a four-game road series, the visiting team represented Milwaukee in a three-day game that included a doubleheader in New York in June 1956. Allen was a right fielder for the Braves and Willie Mays was a center fielder for the Giants.
Harris had a career-best five RBIs as the Braves won 13-2 on Wednesday, hitting McCovey Bay for the first time in his career in his first game since June 14. Missed the game due to muscle injury.
“It feels like the first day of school,” Harris said. “It feels like I haven’t seen them in a while. I’m excited to be back.”
Harris returned the same night that Braves outfielder Jorge Soler (who was starting the season with the Giants) left in the fourth inning with hamstring tightness. He will sit out Thursday and undergo an MRI.
Jarred Kelenic replaced Soler on Wednesday and joined in the fun with a two-run double.
Kelenic, a left-handed hitter, is expected to start Thursday against Logan Webber (10-8, 3.32 ERA). The Giants right-hander has been outstanding over his past three games, going 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA. The Giants won 1-0, 4-1 and 3-1.
On July 4, the Braves defeated Atlanta 4-2, with Webber allowing just two runs in seven innings. , an ERA of 2.98.
In Webb’s start last month, Kelenic went 1-for-4 and scored Atlanta’s two runs.
Giants coach Bob Melvin remains confident in his team despite falling below .500 for the first time since Aug. 6.
“This team has a way to bounce back,” he said after Wednesday’s loss. “I don’t want to say any game is a ‘must,’ but we need to get back to .500 (Thursday) and then take a day off and regroup.”
To accomplish that, the Giants may have to do something they’ve never done before – beat Braves lefty Max Fried (7-6, 3.56 ERA).
The 30-year-old did not play when the Giants won two of three games in Atlanta last month. In eight career games against San Francisco, including seven as a starter, he has a 4-0 record with a 2.40 ERA.
Fried has struggled in two starts since returning from the injured list recovering from nerve inflammation in his left forearm. He allowed 10 runs (9 ERA) and walked 8 in just 8 1/3 innings.
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