The Braves had a busy schedule on Friday with a doubleheader against the defending champion Washington Nationals. Sure, this Nationals team has been scuffling mightily and sure they don’t look anything close to the team that made an probable run to a title last year...but that doesn’t mean that this twin bill didn’t have a lot on the line for both teams.
The first game went decisively for the Braves as Ronald Acuna Jr. returned to the lineup in a big way with a pair of home runs in the Braves’ 7-1 victory. Also of note, Tommy Milone only gave up a run in the game and considering how his first start as a Brave went...we are happy with this result.
The second game was a lot dicier as Huascar Ynoa and Luke Jackson struggled during the first few innings in the ballgame which meant the Braves were in a hole early. Freddie Freeman hit his first career grand slam to tie the game at 7 and Patrick Weigel made his major league debut in the top of the 7th. Weigel’s debut didn’t go quite as planned and that, along with some other dubious bullpen decisions, ultimately led to the Braves falling by the score of 10-9.
More Braves News
Braves name Patrick Weigel as 29th man for Friday doubleheader
While not particularly newsworthy in terms of overall impact on the club in the short-term, we were still excited that the Braves named Weigel as the 29th man for the Braves’ doubleheader against the Nationals. We aren’t sure why it seemed like the Braves forgot he existed for the last month or so, but we are excited to move past that especially since he got to make his major league debut in the game.
Talking Chop 2021 MLB Draft Preview: Previewing the 2020 Perfect Game All American Classic
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Braves prospect retrospect: Randall Delgado
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MLB News
Shohei Ohtani may see time in the outfield this season
While the injury bug has bitten him a lot in his brief career, Shohei Ohtani is one of the more interesting players in the league and remains a dangerous if inconsistent hitter at the plate even if his future on the mound is iffy given the health of his arm. The Angels are trying their best to make the most of him and appear to be considering putting him in the field a bit either at first base or the outfield.