ATLANTA — As Chris Sale departed the mound and walked toward the dugout, the Truist Park crowd gave him a standing ovation after a job well done in his home debut.

Perhaps it’ll be the first of many.

Sale’s solid start helped the Braves defeat the Diamondbacks, 5-2, and secure a series sweep. Atlanta is 6-2.

Five observations:

— 1. In the series opener, Spencer Strider apparently pitched through UCL damage in his right elbow — an injury that could be devastating for him. On the next night, Max Fried underwhelmed.

The Braves are fortunate: On the final day of the series, they sent out Sale, a seven-time All-Star who was once baseball’s top strikeout pitcher.

And Sale, despite the injuries in recent seasons, has proven he’s still himself. Starting last September, when he played for Boston, he’s consistently pitched well.

“That’s my job,” Sale said. “That’s what I did for a really long time until I didn’t, really. To be able to get back on track and get the first two starts out of the way, and just feel like I’m comfortable with my delivery and being able to command the zone.”

Sale on Sunday permitted two runs over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out six and didn’t walk anyone.

On Sunday, you saw the allure of that trade: It made the Braves’ rotation much better, and deeper, because it fortified the unit with another elite arm — provided they keep him healthy.

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