The Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins had themselves a wild Fourth of July game on Sunday with Atlanta scoring four ninth-inning runs to force extra innings. The Braves topped off the comeback by having pitcher Max Fried pinch hit in the 10th with the bases loaded.
Well, the bold strategy ended up working for Brian Snitker’s club as Fried — a very good hitting pitcher — lined a 3-1 single to straightaway center field to secure the 8-7 walk-off win.
But amid the mayhem, it was basically impossible to ignore the celebratory antics of outfielder Guillermo Heredia. After all, the man came prepared with some props!
MAX FRIED WALKS IT OFF. pic.twitter.com/UcxO6wx0An
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 4, 2021
While the Braves players chased after Fried to celebrate, Heredia could be seen storming the field and making a beeline to the mound with, um, plastic swords in both hands.
Guillermo Heredia runs on the field with swords after the Braves walk-off the Marlins. pic.twitter.com/C5J5BoOu5m
— Baseball GIFs (@gifs_baseball) July 4, 2021
It wasn’t exactly clear what Heredia was doing besides just being objectively hilarious. But the outfield-camera view did make it appear that he was jokingly chasing Marlins pitcher Anthony Bass off the mound with those swords.
A walk-off hit from the pitcher?!?!@Braves l NTT #BallparkCam pic.twitter.com/T6JIk8Xs1x
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 4, 2021
If so, that’s even better.
Apparently, Heredia has had plastic swords with him in the dugout for a couple weeks now.
Heredia sharpening the swords after the Adrianza homer that was foul. He’s ready!!! #Need1 pic.twitter.com/7w1fROfm8K
— Paul Byrd (@PaulByrd36) June 30, 2021
Hey, whatever works. I just hope MLB doesn’t step in and tell him to put the swords away because that’s totally the kind of thing that MLB would do.
https://youtu.be/lUq6ZIhSIeg