ATLANTA _ In what could only be deemed an appropriate ending to an anomalous arc, Nick Markakis' first night back in the starting lineup concluded with a walk-off homer.
Knotted at 3-3, Markakis slapped a solo homer to right field, sending the Braves to a 4-3 win over the Blue Jays at Truist Park on Thursday. It clinched the series and capped a 7-2 homestand.
"In those situations, you have to slow everything down," said Markakis, who homered on a Wilmer Font curveball. "Everybody as a hitter wants to be in those situations. The biggest thing is to go up there with a calm approach, not trying to do too much, and when you do that, usually good things happen."
The poetic home run was the second walk-off shot of Markakis' 15-year career. His other came on opening day 2018 against the Phillies. This one, though, might be even more memorable.
Days after camp began in early July, Markakis decided against playing this season, citing concerns around protocols affecting his preparation and disinterest in playing at empty stadiums.
Yet two weeks after that choice, Markakis announced a change of heart. He rejoined the Braves, working out at the team's alternate training site until Wednesday, when he was reinstated from the restricted list and pinch-hit late in that evening's game.
"You could pull him off the couch at 50 years old and he's going to hit," manager Brian Snitker said, echoing previous comments. "What a great way to come back. Huge. It's great we had somebody to tap into when (Matt Adams) went down (with a hamstring strain). I'm happy for (Markakis). He smoked a couple balls tonight, so that's really nice."
Markakis had just picked up a bat again last week. As his manager constantly predicted, he didn't need much time to be ready.
"I kept myself (in shape)," Markakis said. "I was working out, training hard. I have three boys now who can play catch with me. I can fire the ball to them whenever I want. I just stayed loose. Stayed flexible. You never know what's going to happen. There's always opportunities. Things can change. As you see, it did."
His winning homer came one month to the day that he informed reporters of his decision. Markakis met with the media July 6 to explain why he wasn't going to play. On August 6, he emphatically announced his return.
In a sign of the times, Markakis' trek around the bases finished with teammates spacing out around him at home plate. The socially distanced celebration, which aligned with the uncomfortable changes that Markakis once said sapped the fun out of baseball, wound up putting a smile on his face.
"It was a little weird," Markakis said. "That's the situation we're in. We're still out here playing the game, playing for everybody, playing for the fans. Whatever it is, whatever it takes, we're going to do it. The biggest thing is we got the win tonight."
