ATLANTA – A rookie is becoming one of the big bats in the Atlanta Braves’ lineup.
Freddie Freeman’s third home run in two games gave Atlanta the early lead, pitcher Derek Lowe hit a three-run double and the Braves beat the short-handed Colorado Rockies 5-3 on Tuesday night.
Freeman, who had two homers in Atlanta’s 4-1 win in Monday’s series opener, hit his 12th of the season to center field off Jhoulys Chacin in the second inning Tuesday. The rookie first baseman is hitting .273, and his 39 RBIs trail only All-Stars Brian McCann and Chipper Jones in the team standings.
“I’m not missing my pitches right now,” Freeman said.
The homer in his first at-bat gave him three in a span of five plate appearances in the first two games of the four-game series.