4 Braves clubhouse reactions to Spencer Strider making history

1. What did Michael Harris II say about Spencer Strider’s big night?

Lost in all of the hoopla surrounding Strider’s performance is the fact that the Braves had to actually score some runs in order for him to win the game. Fellow rookie Michael Harris II helped provide some of the offense to support Strider, hitting a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth for his 14th round-tripper of the season.

Harris said what he saw from Strider on Thursday night was a typical outing for the man who sits right next to him in the Braves clubhouse as part of “Rookie Row.”

“He goes out there and dominates every time,” Harris said. “He’s just great. He goes out there and does his job and makes it easier for us out there in the field behind him.”

So what was going on in the dugout in between innings as the strikeout numbers kept climbing? Harris said he was leaving Strider alone and letting him focus on the game in the same way that no one talks to a pitcher who may be twirling a no-hitter.

“I was leaving him alone,” Harris smiled. “He was on and I didn’t want to say anything to him that might throw him off. I just left him alone and let him do him.”

Harris said perhaps what impresses him the most about Strider is the work behind the scenes he puts in to succeed on the mound.

“It’s not even that he is just a hard thrower. He’s actually a pitcher who throws hard,” Harris said. “He has a good mindset and knows what to do with certain batters. I sit here and watch him go over the game plan when he pitches or someone else is pitching and he does a good job of preparing for the game, every time.”