WASHINGTON – Admittedly, Pablo Sandoval is 34 years old and is playing his 14th season in the majors, in a career with two All-Star Game designations and a World Series Most Valuable Player award.
But the Venezuelan had to prove in the preseason that he even deserved a spot on the Braves payroll and a one-year contract of one million dollars.
It didn’t take long to pay off.
The “Kung Fu Panda” hit his second pinch-homer in a week on Wednesday. His two-run cudgel sent the ball deep into the park off a reliever who took over after Stephen Strasburg scored six innings.
And Atlanta, which had not won this season, had two wins in one day. He beat the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Wednesday-evening to defeat the doubleheader.
“I’m not going to lie,” said Sandoval, who hit three home runs in a game for the San Francisco Giants in the 2012 Fall Classic. “It’s one of those times when you feel butterflies in your stomach.”
Atlanta started the day 0-4, but set an early course thanks to another Venezuelan. Ronald Acuña Jr. paved the way to a 7-6 victory in the first game, with a double and a pair of singles.
Sandoval signed a minor league contract with the Braves in January and earned his spot. Now it seems that the club has made a wise decision.
“He will not shy away from any situation,” said manager Brian Snitker. “Not just in that role, but in the clubhouse. It’s great to have someone like that on the team.”
Sandoval pinch-hitted to hit a 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 (this season, games will be abbreviated to doubleheader).
Luke Jackson (1-0) took the win in the second game, despite walking a few times in the sixth inning.
Powered by three hits from Acuña Jr. and a save from Will Smith the day after allowing the hit that left them on the ground, the Braves won the first game.
But Smith, the fifth pitcher for Atlanta, suffered again. The first batter he faced on Wednesday was Juan Soto, whose RBI-single in the ninth inning declared Washington a 6-5 victory on Thursday.
This time, Soto led off the bottom of the seventh by managing a ticket, Starlin Castro dragged him in with a double that brought Washington closer. Another walk by Smith brought in the winning run with one out, but Andrew Stevenson turned a game-ending double play.
The Nationals bombed Max Fried and scored four runs in the first inning – including a two-run homer by Trea Turner.
But Atlanta answered with a five-run cluster in the second off Erick Fedde to take a 6-5 lead.
In the first game, for the Braves, the Venezuelans scored Acuña 4-3, two scored and one RBI, Sandoval 1-0. The Dominican Marcell Ozuna 3-0. The Panamanian Johan Camargo 1-0.
For the Nationals, the Dominicans Soto 3-0, scored one; Victor Robles 3-1, one scored; and Castro 4-3, three RBI’s. The Venezuelan Hernán Pérez 2-0.
In the second game, for the Braves, the Venezuelans Acuña 2-0, Sandoval 1-1 with a run scored and two RBI’s. The Dominicans Ozuna 3-0, Cristian Pache 2-0, Huáscar Ynoa 2-0.
For the Nationals, Dominicans Robles 1-0, Soto 2-1, Castro 3-0. The Venezuelan Hernán Pérez 3-0. The Cuban Yadiel Hernández 1-0.