After late scratch, Harris II's pinch-hit double makes the difference in Braves' win
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ATLANTA – When Michael Harris II was selected by the Braves in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft, perhaps the Atlanta-area native envisioned a clutch hit or two for his hometown club.
It’s doubtful, though, that the then 18-year-old center fielder could have predicted how his game-winning hit came about in Friday’s 5-3 win against the Phillies.
Harris, who was scratched from Atlanta’s starting lineup with left quad tightness just hours before Friday’s series opener against Philadelphia, got the pinch-hit nod from manager Walt Weiss as the Braves trailed 3-2 with two on and two out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Harris made sure Weiss wouldn’t regret his decision. He struck a go-ahead, two-run double to center field off Philadelphia starting pitcher Andrew Painter, which helped the Braves to a late win over the Phillies at Truist Park.
Harris was removed from Thursday’s 7-2 win over the Nationals after his left quad tightened as he ran to second base with a seventh-inning RBI double. He was replaced in center field by Eli White during the bottom half of the inning.
According to Weiss, Harris’ late scratch was out of an abundance of caution, and he said it would not be surprising to see Harris return to Atlanta’s starting lineup on Saturday. After the double, Harris was pinch-run for by Jorge Mateo while Mauricio Dubón slid into center field.
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Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his second home run of the season – a two-run shot – in the bottom of the third inning.
The Braves swept the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park last weekend, and Atlanta has won four straight over Philadelphia to start the season for the first time since 2007.