Freeman’s Homer Leads Braves Over Seattle 3-1

SEATTLE – Freddie Freeman became just the second Atlanta batter to get a hit off Seattle starter Erik Bedard and his tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning gave the Braves a 3-1 win over the Mariners on Monday night.

Bedard (4-6) fooled most of the Braves lineup before trying to sneak a high fastball past Freeman. Freeman hit his ninth homer of the season, barely eluding the reach of Seattle’s Franklin Gutierrez, who climbed the wall in center field only to come up a few feet short.

Freeman’s homer made a winner out of young right-hander Brandon Beachy (3-1), who struck out nine in six strong innings before turning it over to the Braves’ stellar bullpen. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 26 chances.