The San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves engaged in an epic battle on Thursday night.
The two National League powerhouses opened up a four-game series at Truist Park and traded punches for much of the game.
Atlanta emerged victorious by a final of 7-6, but the game was certainly a seesaw battle.
Atlanta went ahead 2-0, but ran into trouble in the top of the fourth, when Matt Carpenter came to the plate.
The veteran slugger took a 2-1 fastball from Spencer Strider out to right field, which cleared the wall for a three-run home run to put San Diego on top for the first time.
Matt Carpenter turns on a Spencer Strider pitch for a 3-run homer! pic.twitter.com/4WRtMUXvCw
—Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 7, 2023
The ball may not have gone out by much, but Carpenter hit it pretty hard.
It was his first home run of the season, and it took his RBI total up to six.
Carpenter, 37, has seemingly revitalized his career after a few down seasons to wrap up his tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The three-time All-Star signed a one-year deal with the New York Yankees last season and ultimately went on a tear, providing some power from the left side and returning to his run-producing ways.
San Diego gave him a one-year, $12 million contract for 2023 which includes a player option for 2024.
So far, the 37-year-old is off to a good start with the Padres, and is hitting .250 through the team’s first seven games.
The Braves struck back with two of their own in the bottom of the fourth to continue the seesaw battle.
San Diego regained the lead but ultimately let it slip late.
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