LOS ANGELES – Kurt Suzuki hit a big two-run homer for the Braves in Thursday’s win against the Dodgers, then the veteran catcher left the team to attend his grandfather’s funeral this weekend in Hawaii, where Suzuki is from.
While Suzuki is on the bereavement list through the weekend, Anthony Recker has been called from Triple-A Gwinnett to back up catcher Tyler Flowers for the remaining three games of the Dodgers series. Suzuki is expected to rejoin the Braves in Arizona for Monday’s series opener against the Diamondbacks.
Suzuki has four home runs during a season-high seven-game hitting streak, and five home runs and 11 RBIs in his past 14 games going back to June 14. His home run Thursday drove in what proved to be the game-winning RBI, and his eight home runs this season have accounted for 15 of his 27 RBIs.
“All his hits it seems like are (big),” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s come up with a lot of big hits and homers all year.”
Braves star Freddie Freeman said, “Every time he gets in there he’s been doing something big.”
