party on

The Atlanta Braves threw an impressive celebration on Tuesday night after former Mississippi Braves star Freddie Freeman’s walk-off homer clinched a postseason berth. What they did tonight was equally impressive. Showing no signs of a letdown (or a hangover), the Braves followed Paul Maholm’s lead and beat Miami 3-0, keeping the heat on Washington in the National League East race. Maholm, the Mississippi State product, was sharp, allowing just five hits and no walks in 6 2/3 innings. He is 3-4 with a 4.09 ERA since the Braves got him from the Chicago Cubs, but that’s a bit deceiving. Seven of his nine starts with the Braves have been good ones. Maholm, a lefty who is at his best when he keeps the ball low in the zone, might get a crack at starting in the postseason if the Braves get to the NLCS. He has pitched better than right-hander Tommy Hanson of late. P.S. Good news for Clint Hurdle. The former Jackson Mets skipper reportedly will return as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013, despite the Bucs’ second-half collapse.