ATLANTA — It was the kind of breakthrough performance that Michael Harris II and the Braves were hoping for from their long-ailing young midfielder. His 3-on-4 three RBI game on Wednesday included a bunt single, an RBI double, a sensational running catch at the warning line that ended the Mets’ win at the top of the eighth quarter, and a deciding two -Run home run at the end of the season The eighth.
Furious. It was a lot.
Sean Murphy (two-run homer), Ronald Acuña Jr. and others were important factors in the Braves’ 7-5 win from a deficit in a playoff atmosphere in front of a sold-out crowd at Truist Park, but none were more important in this fourth Atlanta -Winning straight – including three straight comeback wins – as Harris. And the first thing he did after that was thank Marcell Ozuna for an inspirational message the night before.
“(Tuesday) night Marcell came up to me and gave me the pep talk I needed,” Harris said, describing a brief conversation in the dugout before Harris pitched in the eighth inning for Tuesday’s win. “He told me my season started with that shot and I’ve been hitting the ball hard and seeing it well ever since. He just reminded me that I have the potential to be one of the better players in the league and just believe in myself and go out and not worry about mechanical things, just go out and play.”
Harris added, “It means a lot to me because my main goal is to go out there and help the team win and I felt like I didn’t really do that.” Having a night like this is something , which can really get me going and I’m looking forward to it.”
Michael Harris II (Dale Zanine / USA Today)
Harris was only .163 with two home runs, eight RBIs and a measly .490 OPS before Wednesday. He then reminded everyone of his incredible talent — the stuff that led the Braves to sign the Atlanta native to an eight-year, $72 million contract in August after playing less than three months in the major leagues had.
This season was nothing like his rookie year come true. First, Harris missed 19 games in April after suffering a lower back strain while running into the outfield wall on a defensive play. He then strained his knee immediately after returning from the injured list and had to wear a bulky brace for several games.
His season was a big dud before Wednesday. Or before the text from Ozuna the night before.
“I’ve been in this situation many times. I’ve had that situation a little bit this season,” said Ozuna, who experienced an epic slump himself, posting a .085 with two homers, two RBIs and a .397 OPS in 18 games from March through April. He then quickly heated up, hitting a .313 with nine home runs, 23 RBIs and a 1.008 OPS in 27 games from May-June before Wednesday.
“So I know how important it is how you deal with those issues when you’re struggling on the record,” Ozuna said. “You want to produce and everything you do fails. So I said to him, “Hey, you’re the best midfielder in the league – not even the league, but the entire MLB.” So you have to trust yourself. From now on your season starts, so don’t worry about something in the past when the season starts. “Forget everything and start the season now.”
“And today he came in with a good attitude and you could see that on his face.”
When Harris told reporters about the Ozuna moment after Wednesday’s game, some were surprised. Honestly, this side of Ozuna isn’t widely known outside of the clubhouse. Harris and Acuña said Ozuna was always there to give them encouragement and advice.
“He’s definitely that kind of ball player, and he’s always been that kind of guy, that teammate, that companion,” Acuña said through a team translator, “that when he sees some of the younger guys, he’s kind of head down or slumped.” or if we have problems or whatever it is, he will always come and support us and bring us messages of encouragement. That’s the guy he is and that’s what he does for all of us.”
After Harris’ two-out RBI double in Wednesday’s sixth inning, Acuña followed up with a single to give Harris the tie.
Acuña had two hits and stole two bases to take his NL high to 28 — one behind MLB leader Esteury Ruiz of Oakland. Acuña also likely saved two runs with his spectacular jump catch in the seventh inning and crashed into the wall after securing Tommy Pham’s bases-laden flyball for the second out. The game limited Pham to a sacrifice flight that brought the score to a 5-5 level.
“I know that must probably hurt, especially when the bases are loaded. “A ball is thrown against the wall, Acuña goes up and grabs it,” Harris said. “He’s elite. I mean, he has — believe it or not, he and (pitcher Jared) Shuster have the highest vert on the team. Yes, you wouldn’t think Shuster would be up there, but he’s also an athlete.”
Because Harris made things look so easy during his phenomenal rookie season in 2022 by earning NL Rookie of the Year” ahead of teammate Spencer, Strider won, it’s easy to forget he only graduated from Stockbridge High School four years ago.
And that he was still in Double A a little over 12 months ago. And that he didn’t make his major league debut until May 28 of last season.
After missing so much time this April, Harris struggled to get back into the rhythm he seemed to find so effortlessly as a 21-year-old freshman. While the rest of baseball was back in full swing by the end of April, he was trying to get back into the swing of things after doing very little for several weeks on doctor’s orders due to the back strain.
During last weekend’s series in Arizona, he hit several balls hard but had nothing to show for it. Prior to Wednesday, Harris was 6-59 (.102) in his last 18 games with 21 strikeouts and a .322 OPS, ending as many double plays (three) as walks in that awful span.
That’s why this game felt so important to him and the Braves.
“Incredible,” Acuña said of Harris’ performance. “And he’s going to have a great season. Things went the way he wanted and will continue to do so.”
Harris said: “It just felt good to be able to experience a night like this. It feels good to actually see the results and get a “W” on the board. I feel phenomenal (physically). No problem. I go out there feeling like myself. I’m just waiting for the results and a night like tonight will just give me a lot more confidence going out there.”
Braves manager Brian Snitker, who was surprised and delighted when Harris scored in the third inning, believed it might have added to his all-around memorable evening.
“I’m just happy for him. He worked really hard and made it,” Snitker said. “It’s not easy when you’re not doing well. He’s experiencing some things for the first time and I have to give him credit for not affecting his defense at all. And you know what? He’ll give himself a chance to fix the ship.”
(Top Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire/Associated Press)