Acuña, Braves Get 1st Win; Top Nats 7-6 To Open Doubleheader


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WASHINGTON: Yes, Pablo Sandoval is 34 and in his 14th year in the majors, a two-time All-Star and a World Series MVP. He still needed to prove himself in spring training to earn a roster spot with the Atlanta Braves and a $1 million, one-year deal.

He’s sure paying dividends quickly.

The guy affectionately known as Kung Fu Panda hit his second pinch-hit homer in a week Wednesday, driving a two-run shot to the deepest part of the ballpark off a Washington reliever who took over after Stephen Strasburg’s six scoreless innings and lifting the Braves to a 2-0 victory over the Nationals for a doubleheader sweep.

I dont want to lie, said Sandoval, who hit three homers in one game for the San Francisco Giants in the 2012 Fall Classic. Its one of those moments when you get goose bumps.

Atlanta entered the day 0-4 but got headed in the right direction during the opener, when Ronald Acua Jr. led the way with a double and a pair of singles to help the Braves win 7-6.

Sandoval signed a minor league contract in January with the Braves, then earned a job, which sure looks like a wise choice by the club.

No situations going to be too big, manager Brian Snitker said. Not only in that role, but in the clubhouse, too. This guy is awesome to have on your team.

Sandoval came off the bench to homer on opening day, then did the same Wednesday. He turned on a 96 mph fastball from Tanner Rainey (0-1) with a 3-2 count, sending it more than 400 feet following Dansby Swanson’s two-out single in the seventh and final inning.

I missed my spot, Rainey said, and he didnt miss his swing.

The righty hadn’t faced hitters since the exhibition finale in Florida nine days earlier. A coronavirus outbreak that hit the Nationals kept them from working out or playing for nearly a full week.

Luke Jackson (1-0) earned the win in Game 2 by pitching around a pair of walks in the sixth.

Sean Newcomb got three strikeouts for the save.

Thats closer stuff, right there, Snitker said.

Strasburg hadn’t pitched in a regular-season game since being shut down last August and having carpal tunnel surgery on his right wrist.

Reaching 95 mph with his fastball, Strasburg struck out eight and walked two while exceeding his total inning output for 2020, which was just five.

The 2019 World Series MVP made only two appearances last year. The 32-year-old right-handers preparation this spring was slowed by a left calf issue, but he showed zero signs of being anything but at his best Wednesday, retiring his last 10 batters.

That was awesome to see, manager Dave Martinez said. Man, he looked great.

The only hit Strasburg allowed was a single to the games second batter, Ozzie Albies. The only real trouble came in the third, when Strasburg walked Acua and Albies, bringing Freddie Freeman to the plate. But Strasburg retired the reigning NL MVP on a fly to center.

Strasburg, who doubled in his first at-bat, was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the sixth after 85 pitches.

Spot starter Huascar Ynoa went five scoreless innings for Atlanta, allowing just two hits.

In Game 1, the Braves put up five runs in the second inning off Erick Fedde (0-1), then wound up barely holding on with a save by Will Smith a day after he gave up a walk-off hit to Juan Soto.

Smith, Atlantas fifth pitcher, didn’t have an easy time of things, though.

Trying to protect a 7-5 lead Wednesday, the first batter he faced was Soto. This time, Soto walked, and Starlin Castro drove him in with a double. Another walk put the winning run on base with one out, but Smith got Andrew Stevenson to ground into a double play to end it.

This was kind of an agonizing week, Snitker said after Atlanta avoided what would have been its first 0-5 start since 2016. A good day to end the road trip.

HUMDRUM

Even though 4,927 spectators were present unlike last season, when all fans were banned – there still was fake crowd noise piped in, offering an odd, and annoying, hum of a soundtrack.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: RHP Mike Soroka, sidelined since August after tearing his Achilles tendon, will be shut down for two weeks because of inflammation in his right shoulder. He threw an inning during a simulated game Tuesday and does not have any structural damage, Snitker said. … Game 1 pitcher Max Fried was hit by a batted ball but neither he nor Snitker sounded too worried about the lefty’s leg. Nothing too serious,” the pitcher said.

Nationals: Missing nine players because of their COVID-19 outbreak four who tested positive, five who were quarantined because of potential exposure. Those under quarantine possibly could rejoin the club on its upcoming six-game trip, Martinez said.

UP NEXT

Braves: Home opener is Friday against the Phillies, with Charlie Morton starting for Atlanta against Zack Wheeler.

Nationals: Planned to fly to California on Wednesday night; they open a three-game set at the Dodgers on Friday. Its been a long week, Martinez said. “Its been a long week for all of us.

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