ATLANTA – Freddie Freeman said it was smart for Washington’s Ryan Mattheus to walk Brian McCann with first base open in the ninth inning.
Why face McCann, a six-time All-Star who hit a three-run homer earlier in the game, when the Nationals instead could face Freeman, a rookie who didn’t have a hit in the game at that point?
Freeman seized the opportunity, delivering a single to right field to drive in Martin Prado from second base, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 9-8 win over the Nationals on Sunday.
“I hadn’t been in that situation very often, so when they walked Mac, I got a little extra excited,” Freeman said. “I wouldn’t pitch to him, either.”
Mattheus (2-1) walked pinch-hitter Brooks Conrad to start the bottom of the ninth. Jordan Schafer sacrificed Conrad to second before Conrad was thrown out at third on Prado’s grounder to shortstop Ian Desmond. Prado stole second base before the walk to McCann.