Chris Sale had plenty to say about 21-year-old Didier Fuentes after the Atlanta Braves opened their crucial series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a 5-2 victory.
The veteran left-hander praised Fuentes’ composure in high-leverage situations, joking that most players his age are still figuring out a very different stage of life.
Jesús Cano first shared Sale’s comments following the game, with the Braves ace offering a memorable perspective on the rookie’s rapid rise.
“Most guys his age are, you know, living on ramen and sleeping on couches,” Sale said. “He’s pitching high-energy, big-leverage innings in the big leagues right now, and doing it at a very high clip.”
Sale led the way in the series opener, allowing two runs over six innings while striking out seven Phillies hitters.
Fuentes then helped take care of the middle innings, delivering two scoreless frames with a strikeout as Atlanta protected its lead.
The performance continued an impressive rookie campaign for the young right-hander, who has become an increasingly important option for manager Walt Weiss.
Fuentes has now appeared in 51 games this season, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.27 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
His ability to handle multiple innings has given Atlanta another valuable weapon as the club enters the final weeks of the regular season.
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The win also carried major significance in the NL East race, as the Braves extended their lead over the second-place Phillies to five games.
With the postseason approaching, Sale’s praise shows just how quickly Fuentes has earned the confidence of one of Atlanta’s most accomplished veterans.
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