PHOENIX — Eddie Rosario rejoined a few of his closest buddies and instantly discovered himself smiling like he did all through the 2021 postseason.
“I’m so glad to be right here to see my teammates and my buddies,” Rosario mentioned. “I really feel nice. I play to win. I by no means get down. For instance, at present. Yet another pitch and the sport might be over. I obtained a base hit and Murphy does an ideal job.”
Rosario’s two-out single within the ninth inning Monday gave Sean Murphy an opportunity to hit a game-tying two-run homer off a struggling Paul Sewald. That game-extending hit led the Braves to a 5-4, 11-inning win courtesy of Marcell Ozuna’s game-winning sacrifice fly.
“We had been sort of mendacity useless within the weeds there,” Braves supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned.
“Hopefully that one results in some extra momentum going ahead,” Murphy mentioned. “I believe all of us really feel actually good about that one.”
Bryce Elder pitched successfully by the primary 5 innings. Austin Riley homered for the ninth time prior to now 23 video games. Matt Olson made a game-saving defensive play. Raisel Iglesias offered two scoreless innings whereas recording six outs in a recreation for the primary time since 2021. Murphy delivered the crushing blow in opposition to Sewald, who has now blown three straight save alternatives.
And for the primary time since April 17, the Braves received a recreation throughout which they allowed four-plus runs. They’d misplaced 28 straight video games when surrendering not less than 4 runs.
All of this occurred as Rosario loved his first day again with the crew that had employed him for the earlier 2 1/2 years. It appeared like solely a matter of time earlier than he rejoined the Braves after being launched by the Nationals final week. He signed a Minor League deal on Friday, spent the weekend with Triple-A Gwinnett and rejoined Atlanta’s roster to play a key position in a giant win.
“That’s superior in his first day to return up and get a giant hit to convey the tying run to the plate,” Snitker mentioned. “That’s an excellent begin for him.”
Rosario has been serenaded by Braves followers with chants of “Eddie” over the previous few years. However his time again with Atlanta received’t final lengthy if he struggles like he did whereas hitting .183 with a .555 OPS over 235 plate appearances for the Nationals. He’ll spend the following couple weeks auditioning and giving Atlanta a greater likelihood to get a really feel for the place its outfield wants stand earlier than the July 30 Commerce Deadline.
Rosario didn’t signal with the Nationals till March 6. So, lacking a pair weeks of Spring Coaching may need influenced his struggles. However he additionally may need missed the presence of Marcell Ozuna, Ozzie Albies, Orlando Arcia and his Braves teammates who pushed him throughout earlier seasons.
“To be a member of this group is a privilege,” Rosario mentioned. “So, I really feel very grateful for this chance I’ve been given. You’re a Courageous.”
Rosario additional endeared himself to Braves followers when he went above the strike zone to line a 1-2 fastball to proper discipline with two outs within the ninth inning on Monday. Murphy adopted by drilling a Statcast-projected 431-foot homer over the right-center-field wall.
“Eddie can hit nearly any pitch and he is aware of it,” Murphy mentioned. “He’s not afraid to go up there and swing. He’s harmful wherever you throw it.”
There’s nothing typical about Rosario’s offensive or defensive method. He has ranked as one of many least productive gamers within the recreation this 12 months. However it actually permits the Braves to take an opportunity on him once more.
The Guardians had been keen to commerce Rosario simply to take away roughly $2.8 million from their 2021 payroll. The outfielder turned an Atlanta icon a pair months later. There’s no assure he’ll create the identical magic this 12 months. However there’s no additionally no assure that he received’t.
“My buddies and my brothers are right here,” Rosario mentioned.