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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Frenchy has a new way of looking at things
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you can’t see the ball, you can’t hit the ball. Maybe the answer to Jeff Francoeur’s struggles this season is that simple.
In 26 day games, the Braves right fielder is hitting .320 (33-for-103) with five homers and 19 RBIs, but in the 50 night games so far, he’s .207 (41-for-198) with three homers and 22 RBIs. That’s a pretty dramatic difference.
And there might be a physical explanation for it. While he was playing at Class A Myrtle Beach in 2004, Francoeur was hit under the right eye with a fouled bunt attempt and he was told that there was a chance the vision in his right eye could weaken.
So Francoeur consulted a specialist and got a contact lens for his right eye.
We all know how much of baseball is mental, so even if Frenchy merely thinks it’s helping, that new lens could be just what the doctor ordered. Even though it didn’t do much good against Ben Sheets last night — I’m not sure anything would have — I’m holding out a little hope that this will help him turn things around.
Believe me, I’ve been as frustrated with his impatience and lack of discipline at the plate as anyone, but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped rooting for him. He’s a good kid, and it’s tough watching him go through this. Plus, if he starts coming through in clutch situations, even just by making productive outs, imagine what this offense could do.
(Side note from last night’s game: Just how many innings can Jeff Bennett throw before his arm falls off? Looks like we might get to find out.)
I wasn’t able to post the pitching matchups for this series yesterday, but here they are for the remaining two games:
Tuesday: Dave Bush vs. Charlie Morton. In his last outing, Bush had a perfect game until the fifth inning and carried a no-hitter through seven, while Morton’s quality start was ruined when Jeff Ridgway gave up a three-run shot to the first batter he faced.
Wednesday: Jeff Suppan vs. Jorge Campillo. Suppan didn’t make it out of the second inning in his last start, and Campillo gave up four runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings in a loss to the Mariners.
Upcoming TV Schedule
Tuesday: vs. Brewers, 7:00, Peachtree TV
Wednesday: vs. Brewers, 1:00, Peachtree TV
Thursday: Off-day
Friday: at Blue Jays, 7:07, SportSouth
Saturday: at Blue Jays, 1:07, SportSouth
Sunday: at Blue Jays, 1:07, SportSouth
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