PHILADELPHIA -- Maybe it's purely coincidental that the Braves have matched their previous home run total since essentially turning Monday's batting-practice session at PNC Park into a modified home run derby. Or maybe the more aggressive approach taken during this week's batting-practice sessions has simply helped create some confidence for an offense that needed it, especially in the power department.
After halting their home run woes during this week's series in Pittsburgh, the Braves came to Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park on Friday and enjoyed their first three-homer game of the season in a 7-1 win. Freddie Freeman continued to be the consistent power source with his first two-homer game of the season, and Nick Markakis became the fourth Atlanta player to hit his first homer this week.