Braves bench players haven’t offered much offensive pop this season but they provided key hits during the 8-3 victory over the Padres on Sunday at Turner Field.
Utility man Ryan Doumit and backup catcher Gerald Laird helped the Braves bat around against Padres left-hander Eric Stults in the third inning. Laird led off the inning with a double and scored on Andrelton Simmons’ double and Doumit capped the scoring with a two-run single for a 6-1 lead.
Doumit got the start in right field with Jason Heyward resting. Laird was in the lineup with Evan Gattis still rounding back into from after a stint on the disabled list with a back injury.
“Ryan went in there and did a nice job,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “Laird, he always seems to come up every time we play him. With 17 straight games (through Aug. 3) you will see the bench out there to give these guys some at-bats.”
Laird, who has started 36 games this season, has hit safely in seven consecutive starts. It was Doumit’s 15th start of the season and first since June 28 at Philadelphia in the second game of a doubleheader.
Gonzalez said Heyward and Gattis are expected back in the lineup for Monday’s game against the Padres.
