Braves finish 3-4 homestand, but they see plenty of positive trends

ATLANTA — It wasn’t pretty, but the Braves earned a series win over the A’s with a 3-1 victory at Truist Park.

Here are five observations from Sunday:

1. After the A’s tied it at 1 in the top of the seventh, the Braves retook the lead with consecutive doubles from Jarred Kelenic and Sean Murphy, the latter of which was a bloop that just barely found the right-field grass. It was Murphy’s first extra-base hit of the season.

The Braves have been mashing the ball with disappointing results – leading MLB in exit velocity – so perhaps they were due a good break.

“That stuff all evens out over six months,” manager Brian Snitker said. “You go through periods. That’s why you always have to handle the bad, because at the end of that, there’s always really good. We’ve experienced that here for a number of years.”

2. First baseman Matt Olson provided the early offense with an RBI single in the first inning. He’s long removed himself from those early season struggles; Olson was hitting .320 with a .974 OPS over his last 20 games entering Sunday. He has five home runs in his last 21 games after a 26-game homerless drought.

While some Braves, like third baseman Austin Riley and outfielder Michael Harris II, are slowly regaining form, Olson seems to be back to his true self. “Matty is looking really good,” Riley said. The Braves need Olson, Riley and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna to carry the load as run producers, especially with reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña done for the season.

Riley is 4 for his last 12 (.333) as he continues to find a rhythm since returning from a 13-game absence (side soreness) last week. “I’m getting some at-bats under my belt now,” Riley said. “I’m starting to feel like the timing is getting there. So a couple hard-hit balls today and I feel like we’re getting there.”

3. Charlie Morton rebounded nicely Sunday. After surrendering eight runs against the Nationals in his previous outing, he pitched six scoreless against the A’s, seeing his ERA dip back below 4.00. He did it on a rainy afternoon that somehow avoided any delays. He also did it despite issuing six walks.

After the game, Morton explained why he feels the Braves are in a fine spot despite their recent lackluster results.

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