WASHINGTON -- It’s not uncommon for teams with playoff aspirations to adopt a “next man up” mentality when they lose a star player to injury. But it is uncommon when that next man up does so well, so quickly, that the team hardly misses a beat.

That’s what the Braves are experiencing with Orlando Arcia, who is thriving as Atlanta’s everyday second baseman in the injured Ozzie Albies’ stead. Arcia has made an immediate impact and was integral again in Wednesday’s 8-2 win over Washington, homering for the second straight game to help extend Atlanta’s winning streak to 14 games.

“Nobody is happy about what happened to Ozzie, but that’s why we’re here, right?” Arcia said. “We’re here to support each other, lift each other up when these things happen. It’s been able to work out since.”

Arcia is 7-for-9 with two homers, four RBIs and three runs scored in the two-plus games since Albies broke his left foot in Monday’s win over the Nationals, an injury that required surgery and will sideline the two-time All-Star until at least mid-August. Albies’ injury presented a rare infield depth challenge for the Braves, who had penciled Albies in at second nearly every day since he debuted in 2017. Albies started 61 of Atlanta’s first 62 games this year and averaged 158 games per season since 2018 (not counting the shortened 2020 season, when Albies uncharacteristically played in 29 of 60 games).

Enter Arcia, a natural shortstop and Brewers stalwart at the position before sliding into a utility role with Atlanta the past two seasons. Though technically playing second base full-time for the first time, Arcia has experience shifting to the right side of second, and his athleticism and plus arm have been an asset there in a small sample size. The transition, so far, has been seamless.

“I really haven’t felt much of a difference,” Arcia said. “I’ve always said anyone who can play shortstop can probably play any other position.”

Said Wednesday’s winning pitcher Spencer Strider: “Unfortunately we had Ozzie’s injury, but Arcia has stepped in and looked like he’s been playing every day. He’s picked up Ozzie big time, and we’re in good shape right now.”

And offensively, Arcia has been a boon to a lineup that’s already clicking on all cylinders. One of its few softer spots had actually been Albies, who was off to a slow start after becoming the youngest second baseman in MLB history to compile 30 homers and 100 RBIs in the same season in 2021. Albies was hitting .244 with eight homers and a .694 OPS at the time of his injury, far below his career norms.

Conversely, Arcia is a career .664 OPS hitter who was thrust into a starting role and is suddenly white hot. His homers in two consecutive games already match his 2021 total, in 30 fewer contests. He finished 4-for-4 Wednesday, his first four-hit game since 2020. And he’s just the latest of several Braves thriving at the bottom of Atlanta’s lineup, among the sizzling Adam Duvall and impact rookie Michael Harris II.

Throw in Marcell Ozuna and Travis d’Arnaud, and the bottom half of the Braves’ lineup is driving their streak as much as anyone. Those five players combined for nine homers over this latest three-game sweep in Washington; the Braves have slugged 33 total in 14 games during this streak, easily the most in baseball.

Said Arcia: “People know we’re dangerous, and it's up to us to keep working and getting results.”

“He’s a good player. It wasn’t too long ago that this guy was a dude,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s playing really, really well, and I’m happy for him. … He stays ready, he’s on the top step cheering his teammates on, with a lot of energy. I know these guys are as happy as can be that he’s doing well and picking up Ozzie.”