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ATLANTA – Exactly a week after being whisked off the field at Dodger Stadium, Ozzie Albies extended his recent homer barrage in a timely manner. His two-point shot gave the Braves an 8-5 victory over the Nationals at Truist Park on Tuesday night.
Albies added to his NHL lead hitting tally and helped the Braves solidify their lead in the division with the home run he hit against reliever Ryne Harper. The all-star second baseman has scored in each of the four games he’s played since returning to the Atlanta roster. He only missed two games after fouling his right knee in an Aug.31 loss in Los Angeles.
“I’m kind of like running around with my fungo and wanting to beat a few of these guys on the knee,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said with a laugh. “He’s been feeling pretty good since his return. He’s been nailed since he’s back.
There was a reason for the Braves (73-64) to laugh and feel good as they opened that homestand with a win and increased their lead in the National Eastern League to 2 1/2 games against the Phillies (71-67), who lost in Milwaukee on Tuesday night. Atlanta will look to increase their advantage as they spend the next eight games against the Nationals, Marlins and Rockies.
“It will be a special series for us at home,” said Albies. “We just have to go do what we do every day.”
It looked like the Braves could be heading for a win in this first game of the series. Adam Duvall broke his 32nd homer of the season – a three-runner shot in the first – and Max Fried dodged several threats while allowing a run in six innings and lowering his post-All-Star break ERA to 1, 97. But Tyler Matzek allowed as many points (4) in the seventh as he had in his last 29 combined appearances.
But shortly after Yadiel Hernandez broke his three-point equalizer against Matzek’s raised fastball from the first pitch, Albies broke his 27th homer of the season in a unique way.
Before Albies, who hits with a switch, made it to home plate with just one and the game was tied in the bottom of the seventh, he asked Snitker if it would be a problem to hit the ball. right hand against soft pitcher Harper, who uses his curve ball. 60 percent of the time and an average of 86 mph with his fastball.
“I’m like ‘Damn no, if you’re feeling a lot better,’” Snitker said.
Albies watched three shots out of the crease, picked up a fastball, then pierced a curveball into the left field wall. He’s now 3-for-9 with two home runs in straight-to-right confrontations. That other home run was hit against Mets outfielder Albert Almora Jr. on June 30.
“I hit straight on straight ahead,” Albies said. “So all I was thinking to myself was to get a throw in the zone and try to get the runner in so you can go forward.”
Albies’ latest home run increased his NHL-lead hitting tally to 67. He’s gone 6 in 17 with four homers since he luckily avoided a fractured kneecap last week. In the process, he indicated that he might be doing strings at the right time.
“You’ve come to expect it from Ozzie,” Fried said. “He’s that kind of player. He’s getting as hot as anyone. It was a scary situation in LA when he fouled his knee. But he kind of used it to breathe a bit and put his legs back under him. And you can see it really take off.
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