Santana’s power surge stops Braves
MILWAUKEE — Domingo Santana spent most of April scuffling at the plate. He heated up at just the right time for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Santana homered twice and drove in all four Milwaukee runs as the Brewers ended Atlanta’s winning streak with a 4-3 victory Sunday. The Braves had won four in a row and were going for a sweep of the three-game series
“He drove the bus offensively,” Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said. “To break out in a game is one thing, but in a game where you are doing all of the damage is a satisfying feeling. It puts the struggles behind you.”
The big right fielder hit a solo shot in the fifth inning, then added a three-run drive in the sixth for his fifth homer this season. Santana, who started the series batting .169 (11-for-65), said his manager encouraged him twice in the past few days.
“Counsell came to up to me and said ‘Good things are going to happen, just keep hitting the ball,’” said Santana, who was 3-for-6 — all of his hits were homers — with two walks in the series. “He just kept talking about it, so it was really nice.”
Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman hit his ninth home run of the season, a solo shot in the sixth for a 2-1 lead before Santana gave the Brewers the lead for good on the first pitch he saw in the bottom half. Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson booted a routine grounder for an error with two outs to bring Santana to the plate.
“I played it right, it just came up,” Swanson said. “So, that’s one of those things, sometimes that’s just how it goes.”
Matt Garza (1-0) pitched 6 2/3 solid innings in his second start of the year. Neftali Feliz worked the ninth for his sixth
save in seven chances.
Mike Foltynewicz (0-3) gave up both of Santana’s homers, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out six in six innings. He remains winless after five starts despite a 2.81 ERA.
“The slider was working in the beginning, but a lot of them were really right over the middle of the plate — they were kind of backed up a little, but they just weren’t ready for it,” Foltynewicz said. “The team gave me the lead twice, and I just couldn’t hold on to it.”
Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun left after six innings with soreness in his right arm and tightness in his right trapezius, a large muscle that extends from the shoulder into the upper back. He said he didn’t expect to go on the disabled list but that he might be out “at least a couple of days” because it hurt to throw.