Atlanta Braves’ Brian McCann, right, hits a grand slam during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sunday, June 23, 2013, in Milwaukee.MILWAUKEE – The Atlanta Braves had gone 24 innings without a run when Brian McCann stepped to plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the first inning Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
McCann quickly put an end to the streak of futility when he hit a grand slam to left-center off Alfredo Figaro. Chris Johnson and Jordan Schafer added solo shots for the Braves, who went on to a 7-4 victory.
“I usually don’t hit the home runs over that way, so I’ve been working hard to stay on the ball and today, luckily, I put a good enough swing on it to go out that way,” McCann said.
Beaten 2-0 by the Brewers on Friday and Saturday, the Braves received a much-needed offensive lift from McCann when he connected for his 10th career slam.
“That was big for us,” Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “If anything, to get ahead and get four runs and then tack on a couple later on and win the game was big. Games like this, they say hitting is contagious. Hopefully, it catches a couple of guys and keeps going.”