Atlanta Braves’ Justin Upton, right, high-fives his brother and teammate B.J. Upton, after hitting a home run in the fifth inning of an opening day baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Atlanta.
Atlanta Braves’ Dan Uggla, left, gestures as he passes Philadelphia Phillies catcher Erik Kratz after scoring on a home run in the second inning of an opening day baseball game in Atlanta.ATLANTA – The Braves brought their home-run bats north from spring training to spoil Cole Hamels’ first opening-day start.
Freddie Freeman drove in three runs with three hits, including the first of three Atlanta home runs Monday night, and the Braves beat Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies 7-5 on opening day.
Dan Uggla and Justin Upton, making his Braves debut, also homered for Atlanta, which led National League teams with 49 in spring training.
Some observers have suggested the free-swinging Braves might lead the NL in strikeouts instead of homers. Uggla said the positive results will make up for the whiffs.
“We’re not trying to hold back,” he said. “If it costs some strikeouts in situations, then that’s what it’s going to take, because we have the power to go blow for blow with anybody.”