LAKELAND, Fla. – Jayson Heyward made his first spring training homer a memorable one.
The Atlanta Braves’ 20-year-old right fielder almost cleared the batting cage behind the right-field wall Monday with a two-run homer off Max Scherzer in the first inning of a 12-4 exhibition victory over the Detroit Tigers.
“That’s one of the longer ones I’ve seen hit in this ballpark,” said Braves manager Bobby Cox, who was much more impressed than Heyward.
“Home runs, I know they’re going to come,” Heyward said. “I know that’s part of my game; I’m not worried about that. But I was just happy about having a good at-bat because he made some good pitches. It was a good at-bat, a good swing.”
Scherzer failed to get out of the first inning in his second spring start. The Braves scored five runs in the inning, then made it 8-1 in the second on David Ross’ three-run double off Fu-Te Ni.