Atlanta, GA
WATCH: Michael Harris’s Storybook Return to Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II was activated on Wednesday after a two-month stint on the IL with a hamstring injury. The Braves were hoping to get the player back that won the 2022 Rookie of the Year, rather than the one that had struggled much of the 2024 season before becoming injured.
The early returns were good on Wednesday night in a 13-2 blowout of the San Francisco Giants.
MONEY MIKE IS BACK. pic.twitter.com/jtQXIuBGr6
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) August 15, 2024
Harris belted his first-career grand slam, a no-doubter into McCovey Cove to give the Braves a 5-0 lead before the Giants would even pick up a bat.
“Just being patient,” Harris said after the game about his journey back to the Braves. “Just getting back knowing I can some way help the team. Tonight, I was able to do that in the first at bat. It’s been a long journey, but I’m glad to be back to be able to help.”
As it turns out, Harris is the first Atlanta Braves player to splash down in the cove.
“Last year I thought I got one in there,” Harris said with a grin. “I wasn’t strong enough. So I knew when I came back I had to get one in there. Just being a Braves fan, I wouldn’t have believed I was the first one to go in there, but I’m glad to be the first I guess.”
The ball in the water opened the flood gates for the Atlanta offense. Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Sean Murphy each had home runs in the blowout win.
It just wouldn’t be the Atlanta Braves without some potential bad news as well. Jorge Soler exited the game in the fourth inning with hamstring tightness. He’ll undergo an MRI on Thursday to check for any damage. Soler has been playing great for the Braves since being re-acquired before the deadline.
The Braves have won three-in-a-row since hitting rock bottom in the Rocky Mountains on Sunday. The Giants had a chance to pass the Braves in the wildcard race. Instead, Atlanta has opened up a two-game lead on the Mets, and San Francisco has fallen 4.5 back.
Max Fried is scheduled to take the bump at 3:45 p.m. EST as the Braves look for a rare-four-game sweep of the Giants.