Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves

Regardless of the result of Monday’s makeup game against the Giants, the Braves will have plenty of reasons to fondly remember what transpired during this current homestand.   Sean Murphy homered yet again and Tyler Mahle spun another gem as the Braves completed a three-game series sweep with a 3-2, 10-inning win over the Rockies on Sunday afternoon. Atlanta has won seven straight, including each of the first six games of this homestand that began with a three-game sweep of the Dodgers. “I’m proud of our guys for coming out here and taking care of business,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “All of it wasn't pretty, but the bottom line is we swept the series, which is hard to do.”  If there was one concerning development, Dylan Lee allowed two hits and one run to extend his recent struggles. But a 10-inning leadoff single by Ronald Acuña Jr. was followed by a walk-off single by Matt Olson, allowing the Braves to further distance themselves from where they were exactly one week earlier, when they entered Aug. 23 having lost seven of their past nine. “We’re worlds apart from where we were a week ago,” Weiss said. “That’s why you have to have the right people in the room. You have guys who are willing to fight through that stuff.”  Here are three of the most encouraging developments of the homestand:  **1.Two productive catchers** Weiss’ decision to use Drake Baldwin as a designated hitter opened the door to put Murphy behind the plate more frequently. The veteran catcher has responded by going 6-for-13 (.462) with two doubles and two home runs over his past four games. Not bad considering the injury-plagued veteran entered this homestand hitting .143 (6-for-42) with just one extra-base hit. “I knew it was coming, but it was frustrating for a while,” Murphy said. “It’s good to see some other results." Murphy’s leadoff homer off Mason Adams sparked Atlanta’s two-run third inning. The solo shot had a 103.3 mph exit velocity, per Statcast. Six of the eight balls the 2023 NL All-Star catcher put in play during this homestand had an exit velocity of 100 mph or higher. None of the 26 balls he put in play before Tuesday were hit 100 mph or harder. Just three were hit 95 mph or harder.