The Braves defeated the Phillies 7-3 Wednesday at SunTrust Park, earning their third-straight series win to start a season for the first time since 2000.
The bigger story, however, was first baseman Freddie Freeman exiting in the eighth after being hit on the wrist by a Hoby Milner pitch. He appeared to be hit at or near the same spot he was hit last season, when a pitch broke his wrist and kept him out seven weeks.
Here’s what the Braves said about the game, with Freeman’s status still being evaluated.
Manager Brian Snitker:
On Ender Inciarte robbing Scott Kingery of a home run in the first inning:
“I’m getting used to watching him do that kind of stuff. I didn’t think he had a chance at it. He kind of marked it off. That was unbelievable.”
On Freeman’s injury:
“It’s a concern. When he gets hit in that hand, hopefully it’s – I can’t even comment. They’re looking at him and evaluating him. So I’ll know here this evening sometime.”
On Shane Carle coming in with two runners on and striking out Rhys Hoskins and retiring Nick Williams:
“Big. That goes overlooked with everything else, but that was huge. You bring somebody in on (Hoskins) and I don’t know if there’s anybody who matches up well with him. He’s such a good hitter. He did a great job with him there.”
On Brandon McCarthy’s start:
“He knows what he’s doing. He’s very confident and nothing seems to bother him. He just keeps making his pitches. He’s been real solid for us.”
Starter Brandon McCarthy:
On his night:
“I settled into a decent groove. Towards the end I wasn’t throwing as well. (Catcher) Kurt (Suzuki) did a great job getting me through it and calling a good game. Kind of an up and down outing but overall positive.”
On Inciarte’s catch:
“That’s an unbelievable catch. … There’s a reason he’s a multiple gold glove winner. That was a fantastic play.”
Does anything he does out there surprise you?
“No. You just know he’s very, very good. He just goes and gets it. I don’t think I’ve ever had a home run robbed from me, so I can check that one off. But he went and it was just a great jump. He got a great read on the ball early.”
On the bullpen:
“They were fantastic. Shane did a good job coming in. Like I said, getting me out of a jam. Then the next inning throwing another shutdown inning, giving room for our offense as we got going later in the game. I thought everybody did a great job.”
Third baseman Ryan Flaherty:
How enjoyable is this?
“When you win it’s always fun. And it’s been a fun first two weeks of the season. Long way to go, and just keep grinding each day.”
Any extra adjustments made entering this season?
“Not really. It wasn’t like this offseason was any different. I was trying to get my arm healthy from last year more than anything. I can’t say that’s anything’s drastically different.”
On his homer:
“It’s one of those you don’t feel hit the bat. Feels good. Feels good to help the team, for sure. That felt good.”
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