Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hits a two-run home run in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Thursday, June 16, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)By CHARLES ODUM ,AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) – Cincinnati manager Bryan Price was worried when he saw Braves slugger Freddie Freeman hitting only .242 at the start of a four-game series.
Price’s worst fears were realized, as Freeman pounded Reds pitching and pumped up his stats.
Freeman homered and singled twice, a day after becoming the first player in the majors to hit for the cycle this season, to lead Atlanta over the Reds 7-2 on Thursday.
Freeman was 10 for 18 with three homers and six RBIs in the series. The two-time All-Star first baseman raised his average to .265.