Spencer Strider delivered another shaky outing, but the Braves bats had his back in a big way, putting up 10 runs on the way to a win over the Tigers. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II led the way with a combined seven hits, two homers, and two steals. Both of them have been masterful of late, but despite the win, it was hard for most Braves fans to think about anything other than Jesse Chavez, who went down with a gruesome injury in the sixth inning after a line drive struck his left shin.
Chavez wasn’t even able to stand up after the play. He immediately exited the game and was carried to the dugout. It looked as if he couldn’t even move his leg, but thankfully, it appears his absence may not be a significant one.
After the game, Brian Snitker confirmed that the initial X-Rays were negative on Chavez’s shin. The team will continue to run more tests, but it looks as if the 39-year-old veteran avoided catastrophe.
I would be lying if I said the entire incident didn’t put me in a somber mood. Chavez is in the middle of a career year at the age of 39. He very well could be on his way to his first All-Star Game, recording a 1.55 ERA over 30 appearances this season. Chavez is a top notch guy and has turned into an Atlanta folk legend for his performances in recent years. Losing him for a significant period would have been a massive blow to the Braves bullpen, but it also would have been the end to one of the best storylines going right now in the majors.
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Photo: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
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