ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves found something they had not seen this season: a winning streak. The team claimed consecutive victories for the first time, defeating the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Saturday night after winning Friday.
Atlanta’s turn coincided with the arrival of Alex Verdugo. Recalled Thursday to boost a struggling offense, Alex Verdugo provided evidence of a spark immediately. He collected four hits and scored two runs in Saturday's win.
Verdugo drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the sixth inning. His four hits included two doubles. The Braves had been 5-13 before Verdugo joined the club.
Manager Brian Snitker said he expected professional at-bats from Verdugo. "Just professional at-bats, good at-bats, which he's done already," Snitker said. "It's kind of why we're excited about getting him here."
Alex Verdugo signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract on March 20. He had remained a free agent until the late signing. "It definitely [ticks you off] in a sense, right?" Verdugo said of the free agency period. "But at the same time, I think everything happens for a reason. Whatever that reason is, it kind of gave me a little more feel. Something inside of me kind of woke up a little bit."
He batted leadoff and started in left field in his first two games. He could retain a starting job even after Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from injury.
Verdugo batted ahead of Matt Olson’s RBI double in the first inning and doubled before Olson’s RBI single in the third. The Braves had received just one hit from the leadoff spot over their previous five games combined.
Michael Harris II, batting seventh, hit a solo homer in the sixth inning to tie the game. He had struggled at the top of the lineup. Snitker noted Harris could learn from Verdugo. "It's going to be good for [Harris] to watch Verdugo and his approach and how he handles the at-bats," Snitker said.
Verdugo produced a 105 OPS+ from 2020-23 with Boston, but had a career-worst 83 OPS+ with the New York Yankees last year. The Braves acquired Verdugo after Jurickson Profar was suspended for 80 games. Profar was slated for the everyday left field and leadoff roles.
"I’m not taking credit for that yet," Verdugo said of the winning streak. "These guys have been out here working hard this year. I think you’re starting to see a lot better at-bats from certain guys."
