Orlando Arcia Shines in Braves’ Victory Over Phillies
Orlando Arcia hit two home runs, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. This marked Arcia’s second career multi-homer game. The Braves’ shortstop played a crucial role in supporting Reynaldo López’s strong start, helping Atlanta recover from a tough loss. Arcia and Sean Murphy hit back-to-back home runs off Ranger Suárez in the third inning. Arcia added another home run off Max Lazar in the sixth inning.
Fan Reaction and Team Performance
Philadelphia fans booed Arcia, which he acknowledged humorously through a translator. The boos were partly due to a playful interaction with Bryce Harper after hitting a home run in Atlanta the previous week. Despite setbacks like blowing leads and losing players to injury, the Braves have been resilient, winning key games. They have won 13 of their last 18 games since an August loss to the Colorado Rockies and eight of their last eleven since learning Austin Riley would miss the rest of the season with a broken hand.
Impact on Standings
The win brought the Braves within five games of the first-place Phillies in the National League East. They also hold a three-game lead for the NL’s final Wild Card spot. Braves manager Brian Snitker emphasized the importance of winning every day given their current situation. A subplot from last year’s NL Division Series involved Arcia mocking Harper, which continued into this season with playful gestures during games.
Pitching Performance and Historical Context
Reynaldo López allowed one run over six innings, continuing his strong performance since returning from injury. Braves starting pitchers have not allowed more than three runs in nineteen straight games, marking their longest single-season streak since at least 1893. The Braves’ lineup has become more powerful recently, hitting twenty-six home runs over their past eighteen games. Matt Olson has been instrumental in this surge along with contributions from Arcia.
Arcia’s Improvement
Over his first ninety-eight games, Arcia hit seven home runs; he has hit eight more over his next thirty-two games. His OPS improved significantly during this period from .588 to .654. Arcia expressed happiness and gratitude for his recent success and credited hard work for his improved results.
Former MLB Pitcher Greg Swindell’s Daughter Found
Brenna Swindell, daughter of former MLB pitcher Greg Swindell, was found after going missing. She was last seen at a bar with her ex-boyfriend Morgan Guidry. Brenna and Morgan’s cell phones were off since Friday. Police identified a vehicle she might be traveling in: a white 2022 Kia Carnival minivan with Texas license plate VFS 7528. Greg Swindell announced on social media that Brenna has been found safe but provided no further details. No information was given about the status of Morgan Guidry.
Physical Description and Search Efforts
Brenna is described as approximately 5-foot-4, weighing between 120 to 140 pounds, with brown hair, hazel eyes, and tattoos on both arms. A license plate reader flagged her vehicle in Colorado on Friday night. Greg Swindell thanked everyone who helped in the search process via his social media account. Sarah Swindell (Brenna’s mother) mentioned that Brenna has three children and asked for continued prayers for her safe return. The Austin Police Department expressed concern for Brenna’s safety and immediate welfare due to lack of usual contact with family and friends.
Background Information on Greg Swindell
Greg Swindell played for six different MLB teams over a career spanning seventeen seasons. He won a World Series title with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. The report also included unrelated news headlines such as an Alabama high school quarterback dying from a brain injury during a game.
Injury Updates Across MLB
Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros are close to returning from injuries. Tucker took live batting practice and might return during the series in Cincinnati starting Monday. Bregman missed games due to elbow inflammation; swelling is almost gone. Fernando Tatis Jr., Yu Darvish, and Ha-Seong Kim of the San Diego Padres are also on the mend. Tatis is set to be activated from the injured list on Monday. Darvish threw four innings in a controlled game environment, and Kim has been playing catch but hasn’t started throwing across the diamond yet.
Dodgers’ Injury Concerns
Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, Brusdar Graterol, and Joe Kelly of the Los Angeles Dodgers are dealing with injuries. Kershaw was placed on the 15-day injured list with a bone spur in his left big toe. Glasnow played catch from 90 feet with positive signs. Graterol faced hitters in a live situation and is expected to begin a rehab assignment if feeling good. Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Other Notable Injuries
Dean Kremer and Ramón Urías of the Baltimore Orioles are also injured. Kremer was removed from a start after taking a line drive off his right forearm and was diagnosed with a contusion. Urías was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right ankle sprain suffered during Saturday’s game. Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer of the Texas Rangers are making progress in their recoveries. DeGrom made his third rehab appearance with Triple-A Round Rock, and Scherzer threw a light bullpen session after making mechanical adjustments for nerve issues.
MLB Waivers and Roster Deadline
Notable MLB players on waivers could join contenders ahead of the important roster deadline this weekend. Tommy Pham and Taylor Rogers are among the players placed on waivers. Major League Baseball is nearing the final month of the regular season with an important deadline approaching. Players must be part of their organization by August 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET to be eligible for postseason action. They do not need to be on the active or 40-player roster; teams can petition to substitute someone for an injured player. No exceptions for anyone signed or claimed off waivers after the August 31 cutoff.
Waiver Process Details
Not every player placed on waivers is reported, thus always an incomplete picture. Players are not designated for assignment or released but continue playing until claimed. If claimed, no trade or active return is involved; the claiming team assumes the player’s contract costs, including subsequent years if applicable. CBS Sports is keeping tabs on notable names reported to be on waivers and will update if those players are picked by other squads.
MLB Power Rankings Week 22
The Los Angeles Dodgers maintain top performance despite injuries, with a strong pitching and power-hitting lineup. The Philadelphia Phillies have had a recent turnaround against top teams, keeping them highly ranked despite overall mixed results in August. The New York Yankees are considered the best in the American League due to the potential of star players going on hot streaks again soon. The Milwaukee Brewers have a strong record bolstered by excellent pitching and timely hitting. The Arizona Diamondbacks are World Series contenders despite a recent series loss to the New York Mets.
In summary, the past week in MLB has been eventful with significant player performances, injury updates, and team standings. As the season progresses, fans can expect more exciting developments and crucial games that will shape the postseason landscape.
