ATLANTA _ Dansby Swanson's eruption into a potential 30-homer, 100-RBI offensive weapon is one of the most unanticipated subplots of the Braves' season.
The fan favorite and prodigal son provided most of the Braves' offense Sunday, helping them top Detroit 7-4, winning their first interleague series in SunTrust Park history. Swanson knocked in three runs and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth.
The Braves' five-game homestand started with a thud, twice folding against a Nationals team yet to find its footing. They were crushed in the opener against Detroit, dropping their home record below .500.
Yet the last two games, the Braves responded. The bats hit three homers Saturday, backing Mike Soroka's solid showing. On Sunday, Julio Teheran held the Tigers scoreless across five innings. He was backed by Swanson, who's on pace for one of the best offensive seasons for a Braves shortstop in recent memory.
Swanson, who battled a wrist injury last year and has fought off the over-reactionary "bust" label, looks the part of a first overall pick. His defense is superb, as expected, but his bat has reached a new peak. He's become an unexpected power threat.
Jacob Webb allowed two homers and the Braves squandered a 3-0 lead in the eighth _ a misfortune made possible after Ozzie Albies was hit in the leg by a base runner at second, preventing a double play. The Braves offense answered with four in the bottom of the frame, including Freddie Freeman's double that plated Swanson.
The Braves are off Monday, though the organization will be busy with the MLB draft, in which the Braves possess three first-night picks. The team opens a two-city road trip to Pittsburgh and Miami on Tuesday.
