WASHINGTON – The truth is, Pablo Sandoval, 34, is playing in his 14th season of majors, including two All-Star Game names in this career and the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.
But in the pre-Venezuela season he had to prove he deserved a place on Braves’ payroll and a one-year, one-million-dollar contract.
It didn’t take long to pay.
“Kung Fu Panda” hit his second pinch homer in a week on Wednesday. Stephen Strasburg sent the ball deep into the park from a relief taken by the bat after a six-innings score.
And Atlanta, who have not won this season, have won two in a single day. Washington beat the Doubleheaders 2-0 on Wednesday night.
“I’m not going to lie,” said Santo, who hit three home runs in a game for the San Francisco Giants in the 2012 Fall Classic. This is also one of the moments when you feel butterflies in your stomach. “
Atlanta started the day 0-4, but thanks to Venezuela early on. Ronald Aquino Jr. won the first game 7-6, doubles and a pair of singles.
Sandoval signed a minor league contract with the Braves in January and took his place. Now, the club seems to have made a wise decision.
“He’s not going to shrink from any situation,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Not only in that role, but also in the clubhouse. It’s amazing to have a guy like that with the team.”
Sandoval pinch-hit to hit home run in the opening game. He did the same on Wednesday.
He found a fastball from Tanner Rainey (0-1) at 96 mph with a 3-2 count. The ball traveled over 400 feet after Swanson singled with two outs in the seventh and final inning (meetings are brief on doubleheaders this season).
Despite releasing a couple of runs in the sixth inning, Luke Jackson (1-0) won the second game.
The next day, the Braves won the first game, allowing Aquina Jr.’s three wins and Will Smith’s one save to put the running victory on the ground.
But Smith, Atlanta’s fifth pitcher, suffered again. The first thunder he faced on Wednesday was Juan Soto, who declared Washington a 6-5 victory over RBI singles on Thursday in the ninth inning.
This time, Choto opened the seventh place by managing a ticket, with Starlin Castro pulling him double and approaching Washington. Smith’s another run into a successful run with a run – out, but Andrew Stevenson hit a game – ending double.
The Nationals bombed Max Fried and scored four times in the first inning – including Tray Turner’s two-run home homer.
But Atlanta scored five runs in Eric Fede’s second game to take a 6-5 lead.
In the first game, according to Braves, Venezuela Aguana was 4-3, two goals and one Reserve Bank, Sandoval 1-0. Dominican Marcel Hosuna 3-0. Panamanian Johan Comerco 1-0.
As for the Nationals, the Dominicans beat Choto 3-0, one; Victor Robles 3-1, one scored; And Castro 4-3, three Reserve Banks. Venezuela Hernan Perez 2-0.
In the second game, according to the Braves, Venezuela Aguina were 2-0, with Sandoval 1-1 with one run and two Reserve Banks. Dominicans Hosuna 3-0, Christian Bach 2-0, Huskar Yonova 2-0.
In terms of nations, the Dominican Robles are 1-0, Soto 2-1, Castro 3-0. Venezuela Hernan Perez 3-0. Cuba Yatial Hernandez 1-0.
