Shohei's Clutch RBI Powers Us Past the Braves

Whew, what a nail-biter — 3-1 WIN!

Home game against the Braves, and let me cut to the chase: we pulled it off 3-1! Tense pitchers' duel from the get-go, and I was leaning forward on the couch with a beer in hand the whole time.

Shohei was quiet early… but then

Gotta be honest, those first two ABs had me grumbling. Bottom of the 1st, first AB — Sale paints a 98 mph fastball right down the middle and Shohei takes it for strike three looking. "Come on Shohei, swing at THAT one!" I straight-up yelled at the TV. Bottom of the 3rd, jammed by a sinker, 72 mph weak grounder. Ugh, was thinking for a sec, "is this just gonna be one of those days?"

But nah, Shohei is Shohei.

Bottom of the 5th — THERE IT IS!

Two outs, runners on, and Shohei jumps on the first-pitch sinker for a 99 mph liner! YESSS! After two quiet ABs, THIS is what makes him the main event. Go-ahead run, scoring our second. I was on my feet shouting, "There it is, Shohei, been waiting for that!"

99 mph exit velo means he absolutely squared it up. Looked like he was sitting dead-red on Sale's sinker first pitch. The way he made adjustments off his earlier ABs — the man is just on another level as a hitter…

Freddie put it away with a bomb!

Then bottom of the 6th, Freddie Freeman goes deep! Solo shot for the insurance run to make it 3-0! "YEEAHHH let's gooo!" Freddie's been heating up lately, what a guy to have in the lineup.

Shohei's 4th AB in the bottom of the 8th was so close — 88.7 mph fly ball, 322 feet. I got my hopes up the second he hit it, but it died at the track. Got fooled by a first-pitch sweeper, but hey, more than did his job tonight.

Only damage was a Riley solo shot in the 2nd

Only run we gave up was an Austin Riley RBI in the top of the 2nd. Defense locked it down the rest of the way, and we held on 3-1 for the win! Textbook game from start to finish.

When all was said and done

Shohei's clutch RBI, Freddie's bomb, and the pitching staff grinding it out. Three-pronged attack, perfect game. Got nervous early when Shohei wasn't connecting, but the man delivers when it counts — that's why I can watch in peace. Beer's tasting extra good tonight! Let's run it back tomorrow, Dodgers!