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Atlanta Braves: Inciarte Heats Up in SunTrust Park Inauguration

By W. M. Lawson

Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Matt Kemp (27) congratulates center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) after a run against the Washington Nationals in the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Matt Kemp (27) congratulates center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) after a run against the Washington Nationals in the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Braves (3-6) christened SunTrust Park Friday night, and did so with timely hitting, effective pitching, and a rousing win.

It doesn’t get  much better for Atlanta Braves fans than Friday night in Atlanta. A winning season would be great. Sure… making the playoffs would be nice. Yes…a division pennant would be sweet.

But the opening of beautiful new SunTrust Park, accompanied by Hank Aaron throwing the first pitch, and a convincing win, is pretty darn good. All 41,000-plus in attendance showed their vocal approval.

This humble author extolled fans earlier this week not to get too down on our Braves just yet. Even with a record of (2-6), things could get better. They did on Friday.

Ender Inciarte continued heating up going 2 of 4 with 2 HRs and 2 RBI.His 2017 home run total matches all of 2016. If Inciarte adds power to a healthy average, and the matching prowess in center field, he could wind up as one the best center fielders in the game. That’s not hyperbole.

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In fact, when one looks at the first six spots in the batting order, one sees lots of hope for future flash. If Inciarte continues to produce, and he should, and Dansby Swanson can get right, and he should, the top half of the order is no joke. To that point, If and when, Matt Kemp can get healthy, the top half of the lineup should be nasty.

Other encouraging signs from Friday came from the mound. Allow me to write that again. The pitching Friday was really good. It is true that Julio Teheran struggled a bit with control. But he also battled all day, grinding out six strong innings and giving up just two runs. You won’t always have your best stuff, but the sign of a good pitcher is being able to grind out wins.

The bullpen also did their part. Jose Ramirez, Arodys Vizcaino, and Jim Johnson combined for 3 shutout innings. That is one of the indicators of where this 2017 Braves team is going.

It was a beautiful night in Atlanta. It was a beautiful win for Atlanta. SunTrust Park is a beautiful ball park. The whole thing was beautiful.

Next: Atlanta Braves: R.I.S.P. Helped Get A Needed W.I.N. in Miami

It is true that San Diego isn’t the best team. But if Atlanta is to have a winning season, they have to win against bad to mediocre teams, and they have to win at home. They did that last night.

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