Matt Kemp had the unenviable job of making sure that fans went home happy and not too tired. As the Atlanta Braves' game with the San Francisco Giants dragged into extra innings on Wednesday night, the outfielder came to the plate with one job to do: advance the runner. He did much more than that, setting off a celebration at home plate by the time he was done rounding the bases on his game-winning walk-off home run.
Matt Kemp wins it for Atlanta
When Kemp walked into the batter's box in the bottom of the 11th inning on Wednesday night, he wasn't having a particularly good night. He was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, struggling to manufacture any offense for the Braves. There was a runner on first base and just one out, so there was pressure on the outfielder. He was in a position to survive any boo birds as long as he avoided an inning-ending and game-perpetuating double play.
He did one better than that. Sensing an opportunity on an 1-0 pitch from Giants reliever Cory Gearrin, Kemp launched a shot that went in the opposite direction at SunTrust Park, where the wind has become known for carrying balls as far as they can go.
The ball sailed over the right field fence, ending the game and leading to a scene of fellow Braves mobbing Kemp at home plate in celebration of a well-earned victory.
Braves continue strong play
Despite flailing in the noncompetitive NL East, the Braves have turned it on lately. Kemp's home run gave the team six wins in their last nine games. They have taken two of three from the Giants - who are somehow worse - with a fourth game set to be played on Tuesday evening. The pitching staff has been performing better and the offense has been benefiting from the contributions of first baseman Matt Adams.
The good times may keep rolling around. Star first baseman Freddie Freeman is about to begin his rehab path back to the majors, which should land him back on the active roster sometime around the All-Star break.
The best news for the Braves is that he won't force Adams, the team's best hitter as of late, out of the lineup. Instead, he will practice at third base and try to come back with a different position.
It's that kind of selfless gesture that takes teams far, so long as the results match up with the sentiment. In the case of Freddie Freeman, Atlanta is almost sure to benefit from his gesture and get some winning results up on the scoreboard before the end of a rebuilding season