The Atlanta Braves were one of the leaders (for all of Major League Baseball) in homers and strikeouts last year and as the new season started on Monday, it looked as if only the strikeouts were going to carry on in to the new year, but that proven false on Tuesday.
University of Georgia alumni, Alex Wood, had the duty as a starting pitcher earlier in the game, but go off to a bad start as he gave up a Carlos Gomez home run in the first at bat of the outing. At that point, the Brewers had got off to a 1-0 lead.
"First pitch of the game, first hitter, you don't have much choice than to put it behind you from the get-go," said Wood. "It took me a few innings to settle in but after that, I got into a groove, got my fastball command back and just took off from there."
Right fielder Jason Heyward belted a pitch in the seats early. That one swing of the bat gave the Braves a 2-1 lead.
Along with Heyward, first baseman Freddie Freeman also went yard...twice. Freeman hit back-to-back homers in the 6th and 8th inning of the game even though he has almost never been one to have a great performance at Miller Park like the one he put up today.
"I don't know what it is. I've always struggled here," said Freeman, who had four singles in 36 previous at-bats at Miller Park. "It's nice. I was obviously due."
"I've always seemed to hit Lohse pretty good and he left a couple out for me," Freeman said.
Looking for their first win of the season, the Braves released their all-star closet Craig Kimbrel to finish the outing. Kimbrel struck out the side in less than 20 pitches and earned his first save of the year.
University of Georgia alumni, Alex Wood, had the duty as a starting pitcher earlier in the game, but go off to a bad start as he gave up a Carlos Gomez home run in the first at bat of the outing. At that point, the Brewers had got off to a 1-0 lead.
"First pitch of the game, first hitter, you don't have much choice than to put it behind you from the get-go," said Wood. "It took me a few innings to settle in but after that, I got into a groove, got my fastball command back and just took off from there."
Right fielder Jason Heyward belted a pitch in the seats early. That one swing of the bat gave the Braves a 2-1 lead.
Along with Heyward, first baseman Freddie Freeman also went yard...twice. Freeman hit back-to-back homers in the 6th and 8th inning of the game even though he has almost never been one to have a great performance at Miller Park like the one he put up today.
"I don't know what it is. I've always struggled here," said Freeman, who had four singles in 36 previous at-bats at Miller Park. "It's nice. I was obviously due."
"I've always seemed to hit Lohse pretty good and he left a couple out for me," Freeman said.
Looking for their first win of the season, the Braves released their all-star closet Craig Kimbrel to finish the outing. Kimbrel struck out the side in less than 20 pitches and earned his first save of the year.