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Things get Chippy on Opening Day
March 29, 2018
--The Braves drop the season opener 7-5 against Philadelphia and most of the headlines came in the top of the 6th inning. Odubel Herrera hit a lead off home run to begin the inning and took time to admire it. He took his time rounding the bases in a slow-paced trot. This didn't sit well with the veteran Julio Teheran, who responded by subsequently plunking the next batter, Aaron Altherr. Altherr promptly charged the mound and attempted to swing on Teheran before the two were broken up. "Herrera took his time rounding the bases and it wasn't a good look. I felt like he showed me up. I probably should have handled it better, but I'm a competitor who felt disrespected in the moment" said Teheran when asked about the incident.
Both players were immediately ejected and handed suspensions. The league officed determined that Teheran will be suspended for 6 games, while Altherr will be suspended for 4. Ezequiel Carrera had a big game, going 3 for 4 and finishing a double shy of the cycle. The Braves were able to mount a 9th inning comeback, scoring two runs, but ultimately fell short.
It'll be interesting going forward to see the rivalry unfold between two up and coming teams in the NL East. The two teams will face each other 21 more times this season... This could be the beginning of a nasty divisional rivalry!
*Lucas Sims has been called up from AAA to make a spot start for Teheran.
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