Sandoval’s pinch HR helps Braves sweep
Yes, Pablo Sandoval is 34 and in his 14th year in the majors, a twotime AllStar and a World Series MVP. He still needed to prove himself in spring training to earn a roster spot with the Braves and a $1 million, oneyear deal.
He’s sure paying dividends quickly.
The Kung Fu Panda hit his second pinchhit homer in a week Wednesday, driving a tworun shot to the deepest part of the ballpark off a Washington reliever who took the mound after Stephen Strasburg’s six scoreless innings and lifting visiting Atlanta to a 20 victory over the Nationals for a doubleheader sweep.
“I don’t want to lie,” said Sandoval, who hit three homers in one game for the Giants in the opener of the 2012 Fall Classic. “It’s one of those moments when you get goose bumps.”
Atlanta entered the day 04 but got headed in the right direction in the opener, when Ronald Acuña Jr. had a double and two singles as the Braves won 76.
Sandoval signed a minorleague contract with the Braves in January, then earned a job, which sure looks like a wise choice by the club.
“No situation’s 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.”
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 with a 32 count, sending it more than 400 feet after Dansby Swanson’s twoout single in the seventh and final inning.
“I missed my spot,” Rainey said, “and he didn’t miss his swing.”
Rockies 8, Diamondbacks 0: Antonio Senzatela pitched eight electric innings on a cool evening, Chris Owings had three extrabase hits before leaving with right leg soreness, and host Colorado snapped a four-game skid. Madison Bumgarner went five innings, taking the loss for Arizona; his ERA is 11.00.
Mariners 8, White Sox 4: Kyle Seager slapped an oppositefield, bases-clearing double for the big blow in host Seattle’s seven-run sixth inning, and the Mariners avoided a sweep. Rangers 2, Blue Jays 1: Kyle Gibson struck out eight and gave up six hits in six scoreless innings for host Texas. Marcus Semien hit his third homer for Toronto, a leadoff shot in the eighth.
Reds 11, Pirates 4: Tyler Naquin hit another leadoff homer, this time off Chad Kuhl, Kyle Farmer added a two-run double in the first, and host Cincinnati won its fifth straight game.
Orioles 4, Yankees 3: Right fielder Anthony Santander threw out New York’s Gio Urshela trying to score on a flyball in the 11th, moments after pinch-hitter Chance Sisco’s go-ahead single in the top of the inning for Baltimore. The Orioles were outhit 13-4. Red Sox 9, Rays 2: Christian Vazquez homered and Xander Bogaerts had three hits and J.D. Martinez went for extra bases for the seventh game in a row as host Boston finished a three-game sweep. The Red Sox beat the AL champions by a combined 26-9. Indians 4, Royals 2: In Cleveland, Jose Ramirez’s second tworun homer snapped a tie in the eighth against Greg Holland. Emmanuel Clase pitched the eighth for Cleveland; all nine of his fastballs were over 100 mph.
Twins 3, Tigers 2: Jorge Polanco hit a two-run double in the sixth for visiting Minnesota. Detroit rookie Akil Baddoo hit an RBI triple and threw a runner out from left field — another impressive day in this stellar start to his big-league career.
Brewers 4, Cubs 2: At Wrigley Field, Lorenzo Cain hit his second homer of the game, a three-run shot in the 10th off Brandon Workman. Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff had a no-hit bid going until Ian Happ led off the seventh with a clean single. Phillies 8, Mets 2: Alec Bohm and J.T. Realmuto each hit a three-run homer, Rhys Hoskins had a solo shot and host Philadelphia took two of three from its NL East rival after opening with a three-game sweep of Atlanta.
Cardinals 7, Marlins 0: Yadier Molina hit a two-run homer and Dylan Carlson added a grand slam as visiting St. Louis finished a three-game sweep.