With assist of unsung heroes, Braves search sweep vs. Nats

Three players picked up by the Atlanta Braves as injury replacements have been instrumental in keeping the team in postseason contention.

The Braves, who will try to complete a three-game series sweep against the visiting Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon, have gotten timely production from second baseman Whit Merrifield, right fielder Ramon Laureano and third baseman Gio Urshela.

The three players are a combined 11-for-22 in the first two games of the Washington series. Laureano has an eight-game hitting streak, while Merrifield has reached base in 18 consecutive games.

Atlanta trails the first-place Philadelphia Phillies by five games in the National League East. The Braves have won three straight and six of their past seven.

Sunday’s series finale features Atlanta right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (7-4, 2.05 ERA) against Washington left-hander DJ Herz (2-6, 4.15).

Lopez came off the injured list following a two-week stay to help the Braves beat the Phillies on Tuesday. Lopez did not factor into the decision but pitched five innings and allowed one run on five hits to go along with one walk and 10 strikeouts.

“I didn’t expect things to go as well as they did,” Lopez said afterward through an interpreter. “I would say, at the end of the day, the team won and I feel good.”

In two career starts against Washington, Lopez is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA. Lopez faced the Nationals on June 6 and received a no-decision after pitching six innings and allowing two runs on six hits. He walked one and fanned seven in that outing.

Herz has given up two earned runs or fewer in each of his past six starts. Over that stretch, he has pitched to a 3.07 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings.

In his latest start, Herz took a loss against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday despite pitching well. He went 5 2/3 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits to go along with two walks and seven strikeouts.

“He just gets on the mound, wants to attack every hitter,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said of Herz. “When he does that, he’s able to get ahead and start making pitches. He knows how to use all four quadrants.”

In his only career start against the Braves, Herz pitched 4 1/3 innings on June 9, yielding two runs on four hits while walking three and striking out five. He did not come away with a decision.

While the Merrifield-Laureano-Urshela trio has been stepping up for Atlanta, Jose Tena has been making an impact for the Nationals.

Tena has gone 12-for-30 (.400) over his past eight games, and he collected three hits, including his first major league home run, during Saturday’s 4-2 loss against the Braves.

“It was awesome,” Martinez said of Tena’s milestone blast. “It was a hit-and-run. He stayed on the ball really well. He’s been hitting. I love the way he swings. He stays back on the ball, and uses his legs really (well). He doesn’t try to do a whole lot.”

–Field Level Media