Sandoval’s homer helps Braves sweep doubleheader against Nats

WASHINGTON » Yes, Pablo Sandoval is 34 and in his 14th year in the majors, a two-time AllStar and a World Series MVP. He still needed to prove himself 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, off a Washington reliever who took over after Stephen Strasburg’s six scoreless innings and lifting the Braves to a 2-0 victory for a doubleheader sweep.

“I don’t want to lie,” said Sandoval. “It’s one of those moments when you get goose bumps.”

Atlanta entered the day 0-4 butwon the opener when Ronald Acuña Jr. led the way with a double and a pair of singles to help the Braves win 7-6.

Sandoval came off the bench to homer on opening day against the Phillies, then did the same Wednesday.

REDS 11, PIRATES 4 » Tyler Naquin hit another leadoff homer, this time off Chad Kuhl (0-1),

Kyle Farmer added a two-run double in the first, and Cincinnati won its fifth straight

RED SOX 9 RAYS 2 » Christian Vázquez homered, Xander Bogaerts had three hits and J.D. Martinez went for extra bases for the seventh game in a row as Boston completed a three-game sweep.

INDIANS 4, ROYALS 2 » José Ramírez’s second two-run homer of the game snapped a tie in the eighth against Greg Holland (0-1).

TWINS 3, TIGERS 2 » Jorge Polanco hit a tworun double to lift Minnesota over Detroit.

RANGERS 2, BLUE JAYS 1 » Kyle Gibson (1-0) struck out eight and allowed six hits over six scoreless innings. Ian Kennedy, the third Texas reliever, struck out three for his second save, both in less than 24 hours.

BREWERS 4, CUBS 2 » Lorenzo Cain hit his second homer of the game, a three-run shot in the 10th off Brandon Workman (0-1) to lift Milwaukee over Chicago.

ATHLETICS 4, DODGERS 3» Mitch Moreland hit an RBI single off Jimmy Nelson (0-1) with one out in the 10th, and Oakland got its first win after coming within one loss of what would have been its first 0-7 start.