Francoeur sits for 2nd straight day

Washington — Jeff Francoeur was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive day Sunday against the Washington Nationals.

Outside of his weekend stint in the minors last year, it was the first time Francoeur had missed back-to-back starts since his rookie season in 2005.

Braves manager Bobby Cox said the decision was based on how well fellow outfielders Matt Diaz and Garret Anderson are hitting and not an indication that Francoeur is losing his job in right field.

“Diaz and Anderson both are hitting nothing but bullets,” Cox said. “I’ve got to play the hot hand right now.”

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a double while starting in right field Sunday, giving him a .619 average (13-for-21) in the past six games.

Until going 0-for-4 Sunday, Anderson had hit safely in 19 of his previous 22 games, batting .359 (28-for-78) with five doubles, three homers and 14 RBIs dating to June 8.

“The ball is exploding off his bat,” Cox said of Anderson.