WASHINGTON – True, Pablo Sandoval is 34 years old and plays his 14th campaign in the greats, in a race that includes two All-Star nominations and a World Series Most Valuable Player award.
But the Venezuelan had to prove in the preseason that he deserved at least a place on the payroll of the Braves and a contract for a year and a million dollars.
It didn’t take long to pay dividends.
The “Kung Fu Panda” hit its second home run as a pop-up in a week on Wednesday. His two-run hit sent the ball deep into the park in front of a reliever who took the baton after a task of six blank innings by Stephen Strasburg.
And Atlanta, which had not won the campaign, reaped two wins in one day. He defeated the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Wednesday to sweep the double billboard.
“I’m not going to lie,” said Sandoval, who connected 3 homers in a game for the St. Francis Giants in the Fall 2012 Classic. ” It’s one of those moments where you feel butterflies in your stomach. “
Atlanta started the day with a 0-4 record, but straightened out early, thanks to another Venezuelan. Ronald Acuña Jr. paved the way for a 7-6 win in the first game, with a double and a pair of singles.
Sandoval signed a minor league contract with the Braves in January and earned his spot. Now, it looks like the club made a wise decision.
“He’s not going to be intimidated by any situation,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Not just in that role, but in the clubhouse. It’s amazing to have a guy like that with the team.”
Sandoval arrived as an emergent to shoot a home run in the opening game. He did the same on Wednesday.
He found a straight from Tanner Rainey (0-1) at 96 mph and scored 3-2. The ball traveled more than 400 feet, after Swanson hit a single with two outs in the seventh and final inning (the encounters abbreviated this campaign to the double billboards).
Luke Jackson (1-0) took the win in the second game, despite issuing a couple of passports in the sixth inning.
Powered by three hits from Acuña Jr. and a rescue from Will Smith the day after allowing the unstoppable that left them lying on the ground, the Braves won the first engagement.
But Smith, Atlanta’s fifth pitcher, suffered again. The first hitter he faced on Wednesday was Juan Soto, the single tug in the ninth inning decreed Washington’s 6-5 win on Thursday.
This time, Soto opened the bottom of the seventh by managing a ticket, Starlin Castro towed him with a double that brought him closer to Washington. Another Smith ticket put the winning race into circulation with an out, but Andrew Stevenson batted for a double play that ended the game.
The Nationals bombed Max Fried, scoring four times in the first act – including a two-run homer by Trea Turner.
But Atlanta responded with a five-run run on the second front to Erick Fedde, taking a 6-5 lead.
In the first encounter, for the Braves, the Venezuelans Acuña of 4-3, two written down and one impelled, Sandoval of 1-0. Dominican Marcell Ozuna 3-0. Panamanian Johan Camargo 1-0.
For the Nationals, the Dominicans Soto 3-0, one scored; Victor Robles 3-1, one scored; and Castro 4-3, 3 driven. The Venezuelan Hernán Pérez 2-0.
In the second game, for the Braves, the Venezuelans Acuña of 2-0, Sandoval of 1-1 with one annotated and two impelled. The Dominicans Ozuna 3-0, Cristian Pache 2-0, Huáscar Ynoa 2-0.
For the Nationals, the Dominicans Oaks 1-0, Soto 2-1, Castro 3-0. The Venezuelan Hernán Pérez of 3-0. The Cuban Yadiel Hernández 1-0.