Jordan Schafer continues strong spring

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Jordan Schafer continued his push for the center-field job Thursday with two hits, including a triple, plus a strong throw to the plate to cut down a runner trying to score on a flyout to right-center.

“He had a nice game — threw a guy out, had a triple, ran the bases well,” said manager Bobby Cox, who then gave some credit to a Braves incumbent who has been overshadowed. “So did Kelly [Johnson].”

The second baseman went 3-for-3 with a double while batting leadoff, raising his average to .283 with five doubles in 53 at-bats.

Josh Anderson was thought to be the front-runner for the center-field and leadoff jobs entering spring training, ahead of Schafer and Gregor Blanco. Anderson has hit .269 with six extra-base hits (two homers) in 52 at-bats, with one walk and one stolen base in 52 at-bats.

Schafer has hit .383 (18-for-47) with six extra-base hits (one homer), three walks, and a team-high five stolen bases, exactly half the team total.