Game of millimeters: Baldwin's HR pops out of Rafaela's glove after near robbery
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ATLANTA -- Instead of saying Drake Baldwin homered off Connelly Early, it would be more accurate to say Baldwin homered against the Red Sox starter and off center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela’s glove.
Baldwin gave the Braves an early lead with his fence-scraping solo homer in the first inning of Friday’s game at Truist Park. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year’s 12th homer was nearly negated by Rafaela, who got his glove on the ball as it cleared the center-field wall but was unable to bring it back.
Baldwin’s home run off Early was the sixth he has hit against left-handed pitchers this year. This matches the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez for the MLB lead for left vs. left homers this year.
David Justice set the Braves' single-season record for most left vs. left homers when he hit 11 in 1993. Fred McGriff matched the record in 1996. Baldwin is more than halfway to that mark, just a little more than one-quarter into this season.