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ATLANTA -- Matt Wisler wasnt happy when he was sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett in late July. Jason Spriggs Super Bowl Jersey .Now he sees the one-month stay in the minors was just what he needed to reclaim his pitching form.Wisler set a career high with 10 strikeouts in six innings, Gordon Beckham drove in two runs with a pinch-hit bases-loaded double in the sixth and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 8-1 on Wednesday night.The Braves (50-83) no longer have the majors worst record. Minnesota (49-84) fell below Atlanta with its 13th straight loss, 8-4 to Cleveland. The Twins and Braves began the day tied in the race for the No. 1 pick in next years draft.Wisler (6-11) allowed one run on only four hits. He is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts since returning to Atlanta on Aug. 25.I think it was in my best interests to go down, Wisler said. ... I got to just clear my head and go down and make some adjustments without really worrying about it too much.Wisler said one key adjustment has helped him gain a better downhill angle on his slider.I think thats where most of the strikeouts came, he said.He also adjusted his approach on the mound and says hes not determined to throw everything Ive got every pitch.Beckham said Wisler has come back competing instead of thinking.The Braves led only 2-1 before Beckhams two-run double off Kevin Quackenbush. Ender Inciarte added a two-run single in the four-run inning.Oswaldo Arcias fourth-inning homer gave the Padres their only run.Paul Clemens (2-4) was hurt by four walks as he allowed two runs, one earned, in three-plus innings. He left with no outs and the bases loaded in the fourth before Jose Dominguez struck out Dansby Swanson and Wisler hit into a double play.I felt really good in the bullpen, really good early in the game, Clemens said. And then things kind of got away from me.Clemens, signed by Atlanta in the 2008 draft, made his first career appearance against the Braves.MINOR EXPANSIONSThe Braves and Padres plan to make only a small number of moves on Thursday when rosters can be expanded.Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said catcher A.J. Pierzynski (left hamstring strain) and RHP Chris Withrow (right elbow inflammation) are expected to come off the disabled list.The Padres plan to recall left-hander Ryan Buchter. Infielder Alexi Amarista (left hamstring strain) is expected to join the team Friday in Los Angeles. The team recalled catcher Hector Sanchez from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.BLAIR PULLED FROM ROTATIONBraves rookie right-hander Aaron Blair wont make his next scheduled start on Saturday at Philadelphia. Snitker said Blair, 0-6 with an 8.23 ERA, instead will work on his mechanics with pitching coach Roger McDowell for a while. A starter has not been named for Saturdays game.Snitker said he didnt know if Blair will make another start this season.TRAINERS ROOMPadres catcher Christian Bethancourt was placed on the 15-day DL after he suffered a left intercostal strain on a swing in Tuesday nights game. I didnt know It was that painful, he said of the injury. ... RHP Tyson Ross, on the DL with right shoulder inflammation, felt discomfort following his first rehab start last week. Manager Andy Green said it was not a major setback.UP NEXTPadres: RHP Jarred Cosart will make his sixth start with Padres, and 10th overall of the season. Cosart was traded to San Diego from the Marlins on July 29.Braves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz, coming off a win over the Giants, will make his second career start against San Diego and first of the season. Rashan Gary Super Bowl Jersey . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Jamaal Williams Super Bowl Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. http:///...lark-packers-jersey/ . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Los Angeles DodgersOverall: 64 Title track: 52 Ownership: 52 Coaching: 67 Players: 70 Fan relations: 94 Affordability: 72 Stadium experience: 61 Bang for the buck: 48 Change from last year: -5A talented team with lofty goals and a rich history playing in one of baseballs better amphitheaters makes the Los Angeles Dodgers attractive to the sports fan, but that did not prevent the club from slipping ever so slightly in the Ultimate Standings. The best pitcher in the game -- Clayton Kershaw -- and one of the games biggest rising stars -- Corey Seager -- give the Dodgers star power, but their inability to reach the ultimate goal, even while making the playoffs each of the past three seasons, has the Dodgers a bit stagnant when it comes to the overall fan experience.Whats goodPlayers such as Seager, Julio Urias, Trayce Thompson, Jose De Leon and Ross Stripling have already become household names in Los Angeles, and their familiarity figures to increase nationally. Cost-effective young players will help a deep-pocketed ownership group target more specific areas of need with future rosters. Translation? These Dodgers dont look ready to give up their run of NL West titles any time soon. Although the cost of a night at the park might be a bit high, the product on the field might actually justify it for years to come. Sure enough, the Dodgers best rank comes in bang for the buck (48th).Whats badThe prroduct on the field was a success in 2016, which was fitting in the final summer of legendary broadcaster Vin Scully. Geronimo Allison Super Bowl Jersey. Fans were riveted -- at least, those fans who were able to access the broadcasts. Limited reach of the teams broadcasts heavily impacted the teams fan relations ranking (No. 94), which dropped two places from last season. Scully was afforded the respect he deserved as he heads into retirement, but the team had to put a last-minute deal together to get some of the final games to a larger audience. The ballpark, though picturesque, is not the easiest on the wallet, and Dodger Stadium earns an affordability ranking of 72. The Dodgers $6 price tag for a soda remains the highest in baseball (though at 24 ounces, its also the largest).Whats newA change from the stoic and businesslike Don Mattingly to the open and engaging Dave Roberts at manager has not hurt the club in the slightest. Mattingly led his team to three straight NL West titles and three straight playoff appearances in his final three years, but Roberts not only matched those accomplishments but also got the team to the NLCS, which Mattingly couldnt the past two years. Roberts did so despite an onslaught of injuries that would have crushed other clubs. The Dodgers moved up a whopping 24 spots, with a coaching ranking of 67.Next: Toronto Blue Jays?| Full rankings ' ' '