La Stella's 3 RBIs help Braves top Phillies, 8-2

Atlanta picks up 5th win in past 7 games

Atlanta Braves third baseman Chris Johnson, center, celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday in Atlanta. - photo by John Bazemore | Associated Press

0721 Braves3 — Atlanta Braves third baseman Chris Johnson, center, celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday in Atlanta. - photo by John Bazemore | Associated Press

ATLANTA — Tommy La Stella is making an impression on Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. Since coming to the big leagues in late May, La Stella is 6 for 7 with the bases loaded, driving in 13 runs in those at-bats. “When we got him from Triple-A, all our minor league and player development people said that this guy can hit,” Gonzalez said after Sunday’s 8-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

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