Atlanta Braves are back… but Ozzie Albies removed from game
So far, so good… the Braves are pounding, hustling, and escaping. But their All-Star second baseman is spending most of the game in the clubhouse.
Right out of the box, the Atlanta Braves have starting playing here in the season’s semi-official 2nd half as if they want to make a statement here in D.C. against the Nationals.
Three batters into the game, Atlanta had a single, a double, two stolen bases, and an RBI groundout to generate a quick 2-0 lead.
However, there was more going on in the midst of all that.
Ozzie Albies mashed a double to drive in new lead-off hitter Ronald Acuña, Jr. He then stole third base, which allowed him to score despite an out by Freddie Freeman.
Albies came out for the first inning on defense… and then again manned his position for the 2nd inning. However, he then was replaced by Charlie Culberson as the 3rd inning started and his turn to bat came up.
Early reports suggest that this move was made strictly as a precautionary measyre. Hopefully that’s borne out overnight as Albies rests and gets treatment.
Braves’ fans might be encouraged because of the manner in which this injury came about:
That levity aside, there is the fact that the initial tweak could have come from hustling on the double, but the continued running could certainly have aggravated the leg a bit more.
Certainly, it concerned him enough to mention the leg to the coaching/training staff, and they immediately opted to preserve their All-Star.
In the meantime, Culberson has certainly held up his end of the bargain:
Meanwhile, all other things are certainly trending in Atlanta’s direction: in the middle of the 6th inning, Atlanta chased out Nationals’s starter Stephen Strasburg who then had a public squabble with fellow rotation-mate Max Scherzer. As of this writing, the Braves are ahead 7-3 (bottom 6th).
Next: Designation, Recall-ection, and Redemption
Sounds like the second half of the season isn’t exactly beginning with a renewed sense of purpose for the District’s home team.