Dansby Swanson's first career MLB home run didn't leave the yard.
The rookie Braves shortstop smacked a Gio Gonzalez pitch deep to center field in the second inning of Tuesday night's game at Nationals Park. The ball went over the head of Washington rookie outfielder Trea Turner and caromed off the center field wall.
As the ball ricocheted back into the field of play, Swanson kept motoring around the base paths and slid safely into home in plenty of time to beat the throw to give the Braves a 3-0 lead on the Nationals. Swanson's homer lifted his batting average to .250 and gave him his fifth RBI in 16 games since being called up on Aug. 17.
"I. WAS. RUNNING!" -@LieutenantDans7, probably. #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/1ggtG4SCdG
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 6, 2016
MORE: 10 rising stars who could be amongst the best in baseball next season
The Nationals scored in the bottom of the second. The Braves grabbed a 4-1 lead in the third, but Washington answered with five runs in the bottom of the third, thanks to Anthony Rendon's grand slam, to take a 6-4 lead.