The Braves beat the Mets 5-4 Tuesday. Here’s 7 nuggets from inside the box score:
1. Braves hitters struck out only four times in 38 at-bats. The offense was plagued by strikeouts last season.
2. Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman was back in the lineup after sitting out the last two games. The Braves are bringing him along carefully as he comes back from an ailing wrist.
3. Mallex Smith, thought to be the team’s center fielder of the future, played left field.
4. Smith had two doubles and is hitting .438. He set up setting a game-winning, two-run rally in the ninth inning with a leadoff double.
5. Dansby Swanson had a triple. He’s hitting .286.
6. Jeff Francoeur is hitting .267 as he tries to earn a roster spot.
7. Pitching prospect Sean Newcomb has a 32.50 spring ERA after giving up three hits and walking two in 2/3rds of an inning. He also had a wild pitch.
