Allgemein » consin could move up in the next AP Top 25 poll

ATLANTA -- In a largely forgettable season, the Atlanta Braves finally have reason to gloat a bit.They swept a three-game series at Turner Field for the first time this year.And, get this: Theyve scored at least seven runs in five straight home games -- the first time thats happened since 1953.Freddie Freeman homered and the Braves broke the game open with a five-run fifth inning, beating the San Diego Padres 9-6 on Thursday.Were not having the kind of season we wanted to, Freeman said. But we want to finish strong.One day after Minnesota dipped below Atlanta to the worst record in the majors, the Braves kept on winning behind a six solid innings from Mike Foltynewicz (8-5) and another strong showing from the offense.It was the first time theyve had five consecutive home games with at least seven runs since Aug. 7-10, 1953, the teams debut season in Milwaukee.We dont want the worst record in baseball, Freeman said. Were trying to take care of business in September so we dont have that.The slugging first baseman put Atlanta up in the third with his 28th homer, a two-run liner into the right-field seats off Jarred Cosart (0-2). After Hector Sanchez homered for the Padres in the fifth, the Braves finished off Cosart in the bottom half. Freeman walked with the bases loaded, followed by two-run singles from both Matt Kemp and Anthony Recker.The Braves two previous three-game sweeps this season came on the road. Theyre still just 22-44 at the Ted, but feeling a lot better about the way theyve played since the All-Star break.Atlanta has won 20 of its last 45 games.Were not looking at the big picture, interim manager Brian Snitker said. Were just trying to put our best foot forward every day.Foltynewicz won his fourth straight decision over six starts. He went six innings, yielding just four hits though he did get touched for a pair of homers. Wil Myers went deep in the sixth, lofting a two-run shot just inside the left-field pole.It wasnt enough to keep the Padres from their seventh loss in the last nine games.Cosart lasted only 4 1/3 innings, charged with seven runs on five hits and three walks.The Padres scored three runs in the ninth off Chaz Roe before Jim Johnson came on to get the final out for his 14th save.PITCHING PLANSThe Braves plan to start right-hander John Gant on Saturday in Philadelphia. Aaron Blair was initially scheduled to go, but the struggling rookie (0-6, 8.23 ERA) has been dropped from the rotation.NEW FACESBoth teams made some minor changes on the first day of expanded rosters.The Braves reinstated right-handed reliever Chris Withrow and catcher A.J. Piersynski from the 15-day disabled list, and also called up left-hander Jeb Bradley from Triple-A Gwinnett. The 26-year-old Bradley was acquired from Milwaukee in June and has never pitched in the majors. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, Atlanta transferred injured pitcher Eric OFlaherty to the 60-day disabled list.San Diego, meanwhile, called up left-hander Ryan Buchter from Triple-A El Paso of the Pacific Coast League. He has spent most of the season with the Padres, going 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 58 games before being sent out Aug. 20 for a brief stint in the minors.UP NEXTPadres: LHP Clayton Richard (1-3, 3.51) gets the nod Friday as the Padres begin a three-game series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. The 32-year-old will be making his fourth start since signing with the Padres. He has not allowed an earned run in 14 consecutive innings.Braves: RHP Joel De La Cruz will again be seeking his first big league win when he starts the opener of a weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 27-year-old is 0-7 with a 4.66 ERA in 15 games -- including eight starts -- since being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett. He 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA in three appearances vs. the Phillies.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .Red Wings Jerseys China .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Custom Red Wings Jersey China . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. http://www.customredwingsjersey.com/ . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Custom Red Wings Jerseys . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Terry Sawchuk Jersey Large . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner.MADISON, Wis. -- Corey Clement is proving he can carry a full workload for No. 10 Wisconsin.The passing game is starting to round into form, too, which might turn into a key development if Clements ankle injury becomes a nagging issue.Clement ran for two scores before rolling his left ankle on his last carry, and Wisconsin stuffed Akrons spread offense in a 54-10 win on Saturday.The Badgers (2-0) didnt slack off in their 2016 debut at Camp Randall Stadium, a week after outmuscling SEC power LSU 16-14 in the season opener.We want to do that every week no matter (where) were ranked, Clement said. We have to approach every game as if were not in the rankings at all.Bart Houston was 15 of 22 for 231 yards, showing chemistry with Jazz Peavy against the porous Zips (1-1). Peavy finished with seven catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns.Wisconsin had 294 yards rushing and 292 yards through the air. It was its first game with more than 290 in each category since at least 1996.On defense, Wisconsin had a safety, and the secondary accounted for two second-quarter turnovers. The Badgers led 30-10 at halftime.We had a plan and it would have taken a few other things for us being able to do, Akron coach Terry Bowden said. But they were dominant enough in the trenches on both sides of the ball and we couldnt quite get it done.Clements injury was one of the only blemishes for Wisconsin. The senior rushed for 111 yards on 21 carries before departing late in the second quarter.Clement said he could have returned if he was needed.We were able to be a little overprotective maybe, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said.Akrons only touchdown came on JoJo Natsons 55-yard punt return in the second.THE TAKEAWAYAKRON: The Zips had a few moments, dictating tempo for parts of a couple drives in the second quarter with their fast-paced offense. But any momentum was negated by mistakes. Most notably, Akron drove from its own 11 to the 30 on four straight rushes by Warren Ball before the running back fumbled on third-and-2 on what would have been a 38-yard gain. Wisconsin scored nine plays later to go up 23-0.At best, it was a learning experiennce against the bigger, quicker Badgers.dddddddddddd With 15 new starters this season, Akron hopes to contend in the East Division of the Mid-American Conference.Our offense couldnt keep their offense off the field and our defense couldnt keep them off the field, Bowden said.WISCONSIN: Clement tested his ankle on the sideline after getting it wrapped, but never returned. Then again, the Badgers were well on their way to a victory by then.It really didnt feel like 21 carries at all, Clement said. I felt like I could have gone for 41 if I had played the whole game.Otherwise, the Badgers followed through on their collective promise to build on the momentum of the win over LSU at Lambeau Field. Houston, making his second career start, shook off a couple questionable throws for near picks to show off his strong arm. Backups got valuable playing time late in the game, including freshman Bradrick Shaw. The running back had nine carries for 74 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown run.POLL IMPLICATIONSWisconsin could move up in the next AP Top 25 poll on Sunday with No. 9 Georgia escaping with a 26-24 victory over Nicholls State. Chrysts team looked prepared and routed its mid-major opponent, as is usually expected for a Big Ten team.SPECIAL RETURNNatsons punt return for a score, the first for Akron since 2004, was one of the Zips few bright spots.It gave us a little momentum but it was a tough game for our offense and defense, Natson said.QUOTABLEI think anybody in the secondary would tell you that our play is a product of the great front seven we have ... We really just kind of reap the benefits. -- Wisconsin safety Leo Musso, who had an interception against Akron.UP NEXTAkron: The Zips stay on the road to face Marshall on Sept. 17.Wisconsin: The Badgers look to extend their home winning streak against non-conference foes to 37 when they host Georgia State on Sept. 17.---Online: AP College Football site: http://collegefootball.ap.org/---Follow Genaro Armas at: https://twitter.com/GArmasAP ' ' '