Cincinnati — When Jeff Francoeur homered to right field to put the Braves up 7-6 Saturday in a loss to the Reds, it was the first ball he'd put in play to right field in five games this road trip.

It was confirmation of what hitting coach Terry Pendleton said he's been trying to get Francoeur to think about — using the opposite field.

"See the results?" Pendleton said afterward.

Francoeur drove a 2-2 outside pitch. Pendleton said he's been urging Francoeur to use right field, because of the hole there, given how far over second basemen are playing him, and because it gives him a better look at breaking pitches off the plate outside.

"If you're looking with two strikes to go the other way, maybe you have a better chance of laying off that pitch if it's not a strike," Pendleton said. "But if I'm thinking about pulling the ball, my first reaction is to go get that ball because that looks good. But when you go to attack it, it's running away from you."

Every other ball Francoeur had put in play in his 17 at-bats this road trip before that homer, he'd sent to either left field or the left side of the infield.

Francoeur said he's been happier with his approach this week.

"I was frustrated the week before because I really wasn't giving myself a chance," Francoeur said. "I was swinging at stupid stuff. These last few games I've hit the ball hard. I haven't had much to show for it."

By going 2-for-5, he raised his batting average to .255 in what has been a perplexing season.

Saturday's was his third home run in 11 games. Before that, Francoeur had gone six weeks without a homer. He had some doubts about his offseason workout routine of lifting weights four days a week, which brought him to camp heavier and hoping to improve on his 19 homers of a year ago.

"My dad and I talked last night," Francoeur said. "I don't know if I did too much weightlifting, if I got too tight."

He might also have been pressing, given injuries to Mark Kotsay (back) and Matt Diaz (knee). Both went on the disabled list this week. Heading into Saturday's game, Braves outfielders were ranked 12th in the National League in batting average (.263) and 14th in home runs (12) and slugging percentage (.381).

"He's 24 years old," Pendleton said. "It's hard not to be anxious, to want to get it done. I have to remind myself of that all the time. These kids are young. He's still young and susceptible to what he's doing right now."