Latest news with #BravesCountry
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Step Up to the Plate with RaceTrac's 2025 Beat The Freeze Sweepstakes
Grand Prize winner to race The Freeze at the August 23 Atlanta Braves game and receive a $1,000 gift card Atlanta, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RaceTrac's third annual Beat The Freeze Sweepstakes is back, granting one lucky Grand Prize winner the chance to race The Freeze at Truist Park during the Atlanta Braves home game on August 23 as the team takes on the New York Mets. RaceTrac's Beat The Freeze Sweepstakes is the only time each year when fans can enter in stores or online for the chance to race the Atlanta-based convenience brand's speedy superhero. Usual race contestants are chosen randomly to face The Freeze at Braves games. From July 2 through August 5, participants can enter by scanning the QR code on a life-sized, in-store display of The Freeze at any RaceTrac store in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee or Mississippi and completing the entry form. Entrants can earn additional entries by sharing a photo of themselves with the cutout on social media and tagging @RaceTrac. Entries are also accepted online at The Freeze—RaceTrac's legendary speedster, known for his trademark blue suit, icy goggles and superhuman speed—has been a fan-favorite at Atlanta Braves games where he races fans during the game on the Truist Park warning track, challenging Braves Country if they can 'Beat the Freeze.' With prizes for one Grand Prize winner and five First Prize winners, this sweepstakes is a can't-miss opportunity for any diehard Braves or RaceTrac fan. The Grand Prize winner will receive two tickets to attend the August 23 Atlanta Braves game versus the New York Mets, paid parking, The Freeze swag pack, $1,000 gift card and the opportunity to race the Freeze. Five First Prize winners will be chosen randomly at the conclusion of the sweepstakes entry period to receive a $100 RaceTrac gas gift card. Learn more about RaceTrac at and stay connected on social via Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and LinkedIn. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID OUTSIDE AL, GA, SC, TN, AND MS & WHERE PROHIBITED. OPEN TO LEGAL US RESIDENTS OF AL, GA, SC, TN, AND MS WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AS OF DATE OF ENTRY. RACETRAC, DJA, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (& THOSE LISTED IN RULES) EMPLOYEES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. POTENTIAL GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL BE SUBJECT TO A BACKGROUND CHECK, PRIOR TO PRIZE ACCEPTANCE. BEGINS 9:00 AM ET ON 7/2/25; ENDS 11:59 PM ET ON 8/5/25. FOR OFFICIAL RULES AND ELIGIBILITY, VISIT SPONSOR RACETRAC, INC., LOCATED AT 200 GALLERIA PARKWAY SE, SUITE 900, ATLANTA, GA 30339. ATLANTA BRAVES, the Braves script, tomahawk, and all Braves-related elements are trademarks and © of Atlanta National League Baseball Club, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ™ & © 2024 Atlanta National League Baseball Club, LLCAbout RaceTrac Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, family-owned RaceTrac is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States, serving guests since 1934. More than 800 retail locations representing the RaceTrac® and RaceWay® brands offer guests an affordable one-stop shop featuring competitively priced fuel plus a wide selection of food and beverage favorites, including freshly brewed coffee. RaceTrac employs more than 10,000 team members across RaceTrac, RaceWay and affiliated companies Metroplex Energy, Energy Dispatch and Gulf Atlanta BravesBased in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves are the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Since 1991, Braves teams have earned two National League wild cards, 21 division championships, six National League pennants, and two World Series titles. Atlanta Braves games are telecast on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. Radio broadcasts can be heard in Atlanta on 680 The Fan (AM)/93.7 (FM) and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network. Follow the Braves at and CONTACT: James Taylor jtaylor@ while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Associated Press
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Step Up to the Plate with RaceTrac's 2025 Beat The Freeze Sweepstakes
Atlanta, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RaceTrac's third annual Beat The Freeze Sweepstakes is back, granting one lucky Grand Prize winner the chance to race The Freeze at Truist Park during the Atlanta Braves home game on August 23 as the team takes on the New York Mets. RaceTrac's Beat The Freeze Sweepstakes is the only time each year when fans can enter in stores or online for the chance to race the Atlanta-based convenience brand's speedy superhero. Usual race contestants are chosen randomly to face The Freeze at Braves games. From July 2 through August 5, participants can enter by scanning the QR code on a life-sized, in-store display of The Freeze at any RaceTrac store in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee or Mississippi and completing the entry form. Entrants can earn additional entries by sharing a photo of themselves with the cutout on social media and tagging @RaceTrac. Entries are also accepted online at The Freeze—RaceTrac's legendary speedster, known for his trademark blue suit, icy goggles and superhuman speed—has been a fan-favorite at Atlanta Braves games where he races fans during the game on the Truist Park warning track, challenging Braves Country if they can 'Beat the Freeze.' With prizes for one Grand Prize winner and five First Prize winners, this sweepstakes is a can't-miss opportunity for any diehard Braves or RaceTrac fan. The Grand Prize winner will receive two tickets to attend the August 23 Atlanta Braves game versus the New York Mets, paid parking, The Freeze swag pack, $1,000 gift card and the opportunity to race the Freeze. Five First Prize winners will be chosen randomly at the conclusion of the sweepstakes entry period to receive a $100 RaceTrac gas gift card. Learn more about RaceTrac at and stay connected on social via Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and LinkedIn. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID OUTSIDE AL, GA, SC, TN, AND MS & WHERE PROHIBITED. OPEN TO LEGAL US RESIDENTS OF AL, GA, SC, TN, AND MS WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AS OF DATE OF ENTRY. RACETRAC, DJA, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (& THOSE LISTED IN RULES) EMPLOYEES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. POTENTIAL GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL BE SUBJECT TO A BACKGROUND CHECK, PRIOR TO PRIZE ACCEPTANCE. BEGINS 9:00 AM ET ON 7/2/25; ENDS 11:59 PM ET ON 8/5/25. FOR OFFICIAL RULES AND ELIGIBILITY, VISIT SPONSOR RACETRAC, INC., LOCATED AT 200 GALLERIA PARKWAY SE, SUITE 900, ATLANTA, GA 30339. ATLANTA BRAVES, the Braves script, tomahawk, and all Braves-related elements are trademarks and © of Atlanta National League Baseball Club, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ™ & © 2024 Atlanta National League Baseball Club, LLC About RaceTrac Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, family-owned RaceTrac is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States, serving guests since 1934. More than 800 retail locations representing the RaceTrac® and RaceWay® brands offer guests an affordable one-stop shop featuring competitively priced fuel plus a wide selection of food and beverage favorites, including freshly brewed coffee. RaceTrac employs more than 10,000 team members across RaceTrac, RaceWay and affiliated companies Metroplex Energy, Energy Dispatch and Gulf Oil. About Atlanta Braves Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves are the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Since 1991, Braves teams have earned two National League wild cards, 21 division championships, six National League pennants, and two World Series titles. Atlanta Braves games are telecast on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. Radio broadcasts can be heard in Atlanta on 680 The Fan (AM)/93.7 (FM) and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network. Follow the Braves at and James Taylor [email protected]
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Step Up to the Plate with RaceTrac's 2025 Beat The Freeze Sweepstakes
Grand Prize winner to race The Freeze at the August 23 Atlanta Braves game and receive a $1,000 gift card Atlanta, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RaceTrac's third annual Beat The Freeze Sweepstakes is back, granting one lucky Grand Prize winner the chance to race The Freeze at Truist Park during the Atlanta Braves home game on August 23 as the team takes on the New York Mets. RaceTrac's Beat The Freeze Sweepstakes is the only time each year when fans can enter in stores or online for the chance to race the Atlanta-based convenience brand's speedy superhero. Usual race contestants are chosen randomly to face The Freeze at Braves games. From July 2 through August 5, participants can enter by scanning the QR code on a life-sized, in-store display of The Freeze at any RaceTrac store in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee or Mississippi and completing the entry form. Entrants can earn additional entries by sharing a photo of themselves with the cutout on social media and tagging @RaceTrac. Entries are also accepted online at The Freeze—RaceTrac's legendary speedster, known for his trademark blue suit, icy goggles and superhuman speed—has been a fan-favorite at Atlanta Braves games where he races fans during the game on the Truist Park warning track, challenging Braves Country if they can 'Beat the Freeze.' With prizes for one Grand Prize winner and five First Prize winners, this sweepstakes is a can't-miss opportunity for any diehard Braves or RaceTrac fan. The Grand Prize winner will receive two tickets to attend the August 23 Atlanta Braves game versus the New York Mets, paid parking, The Freeze swag pack, $1,000 gift card and the opportunity to race the Freeze. Five First Prize winners will be chosen randomly at the conclusion of the sweepstakes entry period to receive a $100 RaceTrac gas gift card. Learn more about RaceTrac at and stay connected on social via Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and LinkedIn. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID OUTSIDE AL, GA, SC, TN, AND MS & WHERE PROHIBITED. OPEN TO LEGAL US RESIDENTS OF AL, GA, SC, TN, AND MS WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AS OF DATE OF ENTRY. RACETRAC, DJA, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (& THOSE LISTED IN RULES) EMPLOYEES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. POTENTIAL GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL BE SUBJECT TO A BACKGROUND CHECK, PRIOR TO PRIZE ACCEPTANCE. BEGINS 9:00 AM ET ON 7/2/25; ENDS 11:59 PM ET ON 8/5/25. FOR OFFICIAL RULES AND ELIGIBILITY, VISIT SPONSOR RACETRAC, INC., LOCATED AT 200 GALLERIA PARKWAY SE, SUITE 900, ATLANTA, GA 30339. ATLANTA BRAVES, the Braves script, tomahawk, and all Braves-related elements are trademarks and © of Atlanta National League Baseball Club, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ™ & © 2024 Atlanta National League Baseball Club, LLCAbout RaceTrac Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, family-owned RaceTrac is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States, serving guests since 1934. More than 800 retail locations representing the RaceTrac® and RaceWay® brands offer guests an affordable one-stop shop featuring competitively priced fuel plus a wide selection of food and beverage favorites, including freshly brewed coffee. RaceTrac employs more than 10,000 team members across RaceTrac, RaceWay and affiliated companies Metroplex Energy, Energy Dispatch and Gulf Atlanta BravesBased in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves are the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Since 1991, Braves teams have earned two National League wild cards, 21 division championships, six National League pennants, and two World Series titles. Atlanta Braves games are telecast on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. Radio broadcasts can be heard in Atlanta on 680 The Fan (AM)/93.7 (FM) and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network. Follow the Braves at and CONTACT: James Taylor jtaylor@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Dylan Lee emerges as closer candidate for Braves, who are winning and need one
NEW YORK — Because the Atlanta Braves scored five runs in the sixth inning and two in the eighth Tuesday, turning a 3-0 deficit into a 7-4 win against the New York Mets, there wasn't a highly pressurized situation in which to bring in a reliever in the ninth inning. But next time there is one, don't be surprised if it's left-hander Dylan Lee, who's been one of baseball's hottest relievers and showed in Monday's series opener that he's ready for the most stressful game-on-the-line moments. Advertisement 'I'd be happy just giving (Lee) the ball and having him pitch the whole game at this point,' said Braves starter Spencer Strider, who allowed three runs in five innings Tuesday, all the runs coming in the fourth when he issued three of his four walks. Strider was kidding about Lee to make a point. 'He's one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball, really, if you want to just cut to it,' Strider said. 'Just so confident and calm and collected every time he's out there in any situation. Just sticks to his strengths. I think he's a guy that really understands who he is and never tries to get outside of himself. And he's a Swiss Army knife. I don't think there's a role you could put him in that he wouldn't be successful.' Busy night at the ballpark!#BravesCountry — Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 25, 2025 There was a save situation Tuesday, but it frankly was one of those that gives the stat a bad name. After Enyel De Los Santos allowed a double and single with one out in the ninth, the Braves turned to their former star closer, Raisel Iglesias, with runners on the corners and a four-run lead. Iglesias gave up a one-run double but got two outs and a save. That preserved the win for Strider on a steamy night — 97 degrees, highest first-pitch temperature in Citi Field history — when Braves hitters did heavy damage against Mets relievers, including Matt Olson's three RBIs via a sixth-inning single and eighth-inning double. It was the ninth win in 12 games for the Braves, the majors' second-best record in that span. It was the 10th loss in 11 games for the Mets, including losses in all five games against the Braves, whose offense has finally awakened. 'It feels like our brand of baseball,' said Olson, who's hit .304 with 14 extra-base hits and 23 RBIs in the past 25 games. 'The pitching staff has just been solid all year. It's kind of been the difference of just rolling some stuff together on offense.' Advertisement For the Braves, it's now a staggering 28 wins in the past 38 games against the Mets since August 2022. But don't suggest to Olson that they have a mental edge over their NL East rivals, who still are eight games ahead of the third-place Braves, with the first-place Philadelphia Phillies holding a 9 1/2-game lead over Atlanta. 'No, that's a really good team over there,' Olson said of the Mets, who had the NL's best record before the Braves swept them last week and still have a 27-12 home record that's tied for baseball's best. 'It's a very talented group, guys that play hard, play the right way. We love squaring off against them whether it's here or (Atlanta). No, it's just … no, no edge.' Closer remains an unresolved situation for Atlanta but is getting a little less so because of Lee. As recently as last week, Braves manager Brian Snitker said Iglesias was progressing toward a return to the closer role and indicated it would be best for the team if he were to regain his confidence and form and get back in that job. But that was then, and this was Tuesday afternoon. The night before, Lee got the last four outs of a series-opening 3-2 win including striking out Juan Soto to end the eighth with two runners on — the biggest out of the game — after Iglesias allowed a pair of two-out singles. Lee entered to face Soto, struck him out swinging at a 3-2 slider to end the inning and clean up Iglesias' mess, then retired all three Mets in the ninth for the save. That extended Lee's scoreless streak to 12 appearances, during which the big left-hander has 17 strikeouts with one walk and an .089 opponents' batting average (4-for-45) in 13 2/3 innings. Does Snitker still think the bullpen would be best served with Iglesias eventually back as closer? 'You know what, I don't know, now that Dylan's surfaced,' Snitker said a few hours before Tuesday's game, the outcome of which presumably did nothing other than shift the momentum more toward Lee and away from Iglesias. Advertisement The Braves mustered three hits and three walks in five scoreless innings Tuesday against Frankie Montas, who made his Mets debut after missing three months with a lat strain. He had a 12.05 ERA in six rehab starts but didn't give up an extra-base hit or run against the Braves. But they teed off in the sixth against relievers Huascar Brazobán, José Castillo and Reed Garrett, in that order, with Olson's two-out, two-run single off Garrett giving Atlanta its first lead, 5-3, in a game it had trailed 3-0 after five. Snitker said before the game that Lee would likely be unavailable after getting the last four outs Monday and that the Braves might continue going with matchups and who's available and has the hot hand. But for some time now, Lee has had the hot hand in a bullpen with some of the proven, high-leverage relievers from last year hurt or gone as free agents. Lee, 30, has become one of those high-leverage guys. His fastball velocity has increased during the season — it topped out at 96.7 mph Monday and averaged 94.9 mph, up 2 mph over his season average — while his command has improved with both the heater and outstanding slider. 'The command and the confidence,' Snitker said of Lee's improvement in his fourth full MLB season, all with the Braves after he was released by the Miami Marlins before ever pitching in the majors. Lee said, 'I've been trying to work hard and keep earning my spot every year to be a part of this bullpen.' He's surpassed all reasonable expectations, posting a 1.98 ERA in 88 appearances since the beginning of last season, the only lefty reliever in the majors to post a sub-2.00 ERA in 75 or more appearances over that span. He's been even better this season, pitching in more big situations and thriving with a 1.77 ERA in 36 appearances, seventh lowest in the majors among 107 relievers with at least 30 innings before Tuesday. His 0.81 WHIP was 10th among that group. Advertisement 'Just the experience is what makes a lot of that happen,' Snitker said, 'and it's like, 'I can compete here. I can produce at this level.' And I think once you get over that, then all of a sudden you start adding, and that's, I think, where you see the spike in (his) stuff. It's confidence.' Lee has allowed only five hits off 298 sliders this season, four or more fewer hits against sliders than any other pitcher who's thrown as many as he has. None was bigger than the one he threw to Soto on Monday for the swinging strike three. 'It was awesome,' Lee said. 'I'm glad I got the opportunity and Snit believed in me, that I was able to do it.' So, about that closer role … 'I think it's more going to come down to where we're at in the lineup as to who closes the game,' Snitker said, before adding of Lee, 'He's been going through the teeth of most lineups pretty regular. And he's not a matchup guy; I think his numbers are probably better off against right-handers than he is against lefties.' Indeed, Lee has the reverse splits that make it easy to use him in any situation: He's held right-handed batters to a puny .147 average and .444 OPS in 73 plate appearances, while lefties have hit .204 with a .662 OPS in 59 plate appearances. With runners in scoring position, hitters are just 3-for-25 (.120) against Lee with five walks and 12 strikeouts, and in any situation with runners on base, he's allowed a .128 average and .427 OPS. Four of five homers off him have been solo shots. 'It might be where sometimes in order to win the game and get us to the eighth and ninth, we've got to use Dylan in the seventh (inning) in tough spots,' Snitker said. 'So I just think we're gonna do it and match it up the best we can to try and win the game.' They didn't need Lee to win Tuesday. But the Braves will need a closer soon and often if they keep playing as they have recently. And right now, Lee has put himself in position to get that call more often than not.
New York Times
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Michael Harris II is an elite defender, but Braves are still hoping for offensive resurgence
ATLANTA — Braves center fielder Michael Harris II expresses himself with an array of distinctive headbands, color-coordinated neon-bright cleats, batting gloves and arm sleeves, and some of the most spectacular catches we've seen since 10-time Gold Glove winner Andruw Jones manned that same center-field position in Atlanta. Advertisement But what 'Money Mike' would like to add to his featured mix is more hits. The Braves know he's a much better hitter than he's shown this season, and for much of 2024, because he's hit before at a far better rate than now. And almost every other lineup regular in the majors has hit better than Harris this season. Even after getting three hits in Thursday's doubleheader split at Philadelphia, including two off lefties, Harris entered Friday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox batting .229 with a .597 OPS, the fourth-lowest among National League qualifiers. His 66 OPS+ through Thursday was 34 percentage points below a baseline-average MLB player, though his defense remained elite — he was tied for third among MLB center fielders with 6 Outs Above Average before Friday. Mike brought this one back! 💸@MoneyyyMikeee | #BravesCountry — Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 29, 2025 'Michael is still a young player that's figuring some things out,' Braves manager Brian Snitker said. 'I know the one thing he's not doing is taking the offensive (struggles) to center field, because he's making highlight catches every day. I think you're seeing a young player that's still figuring things out, and he's going to get better. The upside is really big with a talented kid, a guy like that. He has strength and speed and can play defense. You know, this hitting is tough.' What makes it all the more frustrating for Harris, 24, and the Braves is what he's done before: He hit .295 with an .828 OPS during his first two MLB seasons in 2022-2023, with a 124 OPS+ in that span. That included a 133 OPS+ in his rookie season, when Harris was brought up directly from Double A. The Atlanta-area native hit .297 with 19 home runs and a .514 slugging percentage in 114 games as a 21-year-old that season, when Harris was NL Rookie of the Year ahead of teammate Spencer Strider. Advertisement But it's three years later, and Harris hit .214 with six extra-base hits, including no home runs in his past 26 games before Friday. He ranked among the majors' bottom 20 qualifiers with a .338 slugging percentage. He's one of the more personable and popular players in the clubhouse and among the fan base, so there are a lot of folks hoping Harris can get back on track with his hitting. He did have 14 RBIs in those 26 games, but his .257 OBP and one run scored (yes, one) over that span were jarring for a player who sprints to catch balls in the gaps and at the wall — or over the wall, as was the case Thursday in Philadelphia, when he leaped to rob Max Kepler of a home run. Braves third baseman Austin Riley said hitting success in the majors is often about making adjustments. And he can commiserate with Harris, albeit in different circumstances. Riley hit .349 with eight homers and a 1.150 OPS in the first 16 games of his career in 2019. Then pitchers figured out his weakness and started throwing him sliders away. Riley then hit .190 with a .632 OPS and 85 strikeouts in 211 at-bats over his final 64 games, his struggles exacerbated by a knee injury that sidelined him for a month beginning in early August. He sees Harris going through it now, an expression players use for slumping. 'I went through it,' Riley said. 'I came out hot, and then they started figuring me out. I think it's just more about just learning that game-inside-the-game, of just the adjustments on a daily basis. What (the pitcher) is trying to do to you, and also a big thing is understanding who's behind the plate, the catcher. Because you can start developing or figuring out tendencies on certain catchers and how they call games.' Never have there been as many analytics and sophisticated scouting of opposing players as there are now. If a hitter has a weakness, it will be exploited quickly until the hitter fixes the hole in his swing or the flaw in his approach. Advertisement 'Everybody knows your cold zones, from a hitting standpoint,' Riley said. 'Everybody knows where your holes are. I think the biggest thing is sticking to your strengths versus (worrying about the pitcher's) strengths and what they're trying to do. Because pitchers are really good, but their ability to throw in that certain location three times a row — it's not likely to happen. So I think just understanding — and I went through it too — you kind of tend to fall into that trap of thinking about what they're trying to do to you versus like, OK, let me get back to what I want to do.' Braves first-year hitting coach Tim Hyers has watched plenty of video of Harris when he was going well early in his career and also last season when he surged after a two-month IL stint for a serious hamstring strain. 'This league makes you make adjustments,' said Hyers, a former major-league journeyman who has World Series rings as a hitting coach with Texas and Boston. 'They have an army of guys on the other side that are putting game plans together, trying to find ways to get you out. So, yeah, absolutely, it can be harsh at times, and there is a learning curve. But I also think even to veteran guys, I mean, the league makes you make those adjustments. 'Because it's a copycat league. From series to series, the teams take their own data, but they also blend in what you're doing. Are you hitting the high fastball? So they take their strengths and your weaknesses and they blend them. I think that's the art of a young guy learning how to make those adjustments and not get too far away from himself. That's where a lot of young guys make mistakes, is they get away from their foundation. In trying to get in that survive mode, sometimes they lose themselves.' Which brings us to something that Harris and others, to be fair, have been working to correct. 'I think the high fastball in general — not micro'ing it (to Harris) — but high fastballs for many low-ball hitters,' Hyers said. 'Five or six years ago, everybody started to (throw fastballs up in the strike zone). Because everybody was trying to defend it, and they still made mistakes down. They still threw balls down. But we were trying to survive and everything, and we lost a strength (hitting low strikes).' Hyers said of Harris: 'He's got to get the ball off the ground. Got to find that swing plane again to redirect the baseball hard. And I think that's what he's trying to work on, and he needs to keep focusing in on it, because they're finding ways to get below his barrel and get a lot of ground balls. So he's trying to find his move, to find that swing plane, to get back to getting the ball (up) — and it's not lazy fly balls, but just redirect it. Be a line-drive machine.' Thursday was a good start, particularly his two hits off Phillies lefties, a single off starter Cristopher Sánchez and an RBI double against reliever Matt Strahm. Tie ballgame!@MoneyyyMikeee | #BravesCountry — Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 29, 2025 'It can do a lot, especially against a guy like Sánchez, who I haven't had a lot of success against,' Harris said. 'Being able to not just get a hit, but hit it hard, see it well. It was good, that first hit. And then the double, it was good to see a slider and stay on it, and drive in a run.' 'He's got a couple of big hits here lately,' Snitker said. 'It's like everybody else. I mean, we're just kind of waiting for this whole group to get off at the same time, pretty much. It was encouraging to see some individuals (get going), and we're just kind of still waiting to put it together as a team, which allows you to get on a roll a lot of times.' Advertisement Harris said he can feel it coming, that he's getting closer to where he wants to be with his approach and swing. 'Yeah, yeah, for sure,' he said. 'I've been working nonstop on some things to be in the best position to hit, for me. I've been working, and I'm glad I was able to get some results at the plate.'
