ATLANTA – Exactly one week after being removed from the field at Dodger Stadium, Ozzie Albies expanded his recent home run on time. His two-run shot gave the Braves an 8-5 victory over the Nationals at Truist Park on Tuesday night.
Albies added to his extra-base total leading the National League and helped the Braves bolster their division position with the game-winning home run that relieved reliever Ryne Harper. The All-Star second baseman has gone home in each of the four games he has played since returning to the Atlanta lineup. He missed just two games after making a right knee throw during an Aug. 31 loss to Los Angeles.
“I’m kind of like running with my fungus wanting to beat a couple of these guys to the knee,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said with a laugh. “It simply came to our notice then. It’s been nails since he came back. “
There was a reason the Braves (73-64) laughed and felt good when they opened this home with a win and increased their East National League lead to 2 1/2 games over the Phillies (71- 67), who lost on Tuesday night in Milwaukee. Atlanta will try to increase their lead as they spend the next eight games playing Nationals, Marlins and Rockies.
“It will be a special series for us at home,” Albies said. “We just have to go do what we do every day.”
It looked like the Braves could get a win in this series opener. Adam Duvall punched his 32nd homer of the season (a three-run shot in the first) and Max Fried escaped several threats while allowing a six-inning run and reduced his ERA after the All-Star to 1.97. But Tyler Matzek allowed as many runs (4) in the seventh as in his last 29 combined appearances.
But shortly after Yadiel Hernandez forged his winning streak against Matzek’s first high level, Albies punched his 27th of the season in a unique way.
Before Albies went to the plate with a power-up and the game tied at the bottom of the seventh, he asked Snitker if it would be a problem to hit with his right hand against Harper, who uses his curved ball. 60 percent of the time and average 86 mph with his fast ball.
“I’m like‘ Heck no, if you feel so much better, ’” Snitker said.
Albies looked three shots out of the area, grabbed a quick ball and then punched a curved ball over the wall of the left field. He is now 3-on-9 with two homers in right-to-right clashes. That other home run pitted Mets camper Albert Almora Jr. on June 30th.
“I hit from right to right before,” Albies said. “So all I was saying to myself was getting a throw in the area and trying to drive the runner so you could get ahead.”
Albies ’last local day increased his leading extra base success in NL to 67. He’s gone 6-on-17 with four homers since he fortunately avoided a patella fracture last week. In the process, he has provided clues that he might be scratching at the right time.
“You expected it from Ozzie,” Fried said. “It’s this kind of player. It gets as hot as any. It was a terrifying situation in Los Angeles when he kicked the ball from the knee. But he used it to breathe a little and put his legs under him again. And you can really see how it takes off.