ATLANTA _ The sight of slugger Kris Bryant wincing in pain momentarily placed the Cubs' momentum on pause.
As remarkable as the Cubs transformed their play during a 6-0 trip to open the second half, general manager Jed Hoyer knows the importance of depth heading toward the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
"We'll be on the lookout for a bunch of different things," Hoyer said Wednesday before the Cubs completed a three-game sweep of the Braves with an 8-2 victory.
"Once you get past July 31, you have to handle injuries internally."
Fortunately for the Cubs, Bryant was diagnosed with only a sprain of his left pinkie after a head-first slide at third base that caused him to leave the game in the first inning.
X-rays ruled out a fracture and Bryant _ who had his pinkie taped to his ring finger afterward _ was listed as day-to-day.
Meanwhile, his teammates carried the torch as the Cubs mounted their longest winning streak of the season in a manner reminiscent of their last two playoff runs.
"Magnificent," was the word manager Joe Maddon used to describe Wednesday's triumph, considering the Cubs got little rest after completing a 5-1 victory that ended at 1:06 a.m.
"We finished 6-0 with momentum," he said. "But synonymously, the vibe has been great and the energy has been great, and I want to see that continue."
Left-hander Mike Montgomery, who could be dispatched to the bullpen with the addition of Jose Quintana and return of Kyle Hendricks, pitched six innings of two-hit ball to contribute to the Cubs rotation that posted a 1.14 ERA over the last five games.
Javier Baez cranked a three-run home run in posting his fourth consecutive multi-hit game. Addison Russell tied a career high with four hits. Tommy La Stella, Bryant's replacement at third, homered, as did Montgomery who had the first of his career.
The Cubs (49-45) are four games above .500 for the first time since May 25 as they enter a stretch of 10 consecutive games against the rival Cardinals, White Sox and the National League Central-leading Brewers starting Friday.
"We're all in and back to playing Cubbie baseball," Russell said. "Aggressive, having some fun and winning some games."
Bryant, the 2016 NL Most Valuable Player, admitted he dodged a bullet with his diagnosis after trying to advance to third on an errant pitch and having third baseman Johan Camargo step on his hand.
"You slide into someone's foot, and you think the worst-case scenario," Bryant said of his initial reaction. "I was kind of scared to look at my finger, like this never ends up good."
But Bryant said the finger started gradually to feel better, although he wasn't sure if he could play Friday.
"I won't be playing any video games," he said.
Meanwhile, the Cubs will continue to look for backup catching and relief upgrades without touching their current roster. Alex Avila of the Tigers and the Rangers' Jonathan Lucroy are potential fits to help starting catcher Willson Contreras.
The Cubs, according to a source, also are looking at Royals left-handed reliever Mike Minor. But Montgomery could return to the bullpen once Hendricks is activated from the 10-day disabled list as soon as Monday.
Adding another starting pitcher under team control remains a long-term priority, even after the addition of the left-handed Quintana.
"But the way we're playing, it gives more reason to think what we can do to supplement the roster," Hoyer said.
