Suddenly the surging Braves are scoring runs in bunches.
The Braves beat the Dodgers 8-1 on Tuesday for their fourth straight victory. They’ve scored 26 runs and produced 35 hits during the winning streak after scoring just 24 runs and managing 56 hits during their 0-9 start.
“We always thought we had a better offensive team than two years ago, and especially (better than) the second half of last year,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “I think we are starting to notice that right now.”
Much of the resurgence has happened because the Braves are scoring runs with two outs.
The Braves scored three two-out runs in each of their first two wins at the Marlins. They added five-more two-out runs in the series finale on Sunday, including a bases-loaded triple by Jace Peterson and the go-ahead RBI single by Mallex Smith in the 10th.
Against the Dodgers, catcher Tyler Flowers hit a pair of RBI singles with two outs and outfielder Jeff Francoeur had one. The Braves have scored 14 runs with two outs over the past four games after doing it 11 times during the 0-9 start.
“That’s always good,” Flowers said. “Those sting when you are on the other side of them. That’s not going to last forever. That just emphasizes we’ve got to do the right thing in situations, the little things because you are not always going to have a bunch of hits with two outs.”
The Braves have benefited from facing more favorable pitching match-ups after running into many aces early in the season. But they also are surging on offense while missing some key personnel and getting little production from others.
No. 1 hitter Ender Inciarte went to the disabled list after playing just three games and projected No. 2 hitter Erick Aybar (.157 on-base percentage) has been moved down in the order. First baseman Freddie Freeman continues to get on base (.353 OBP) but is hitting just .175 with one home run and four RBIs. Left fielder Hector Olivera is on administrative leave after he was arrested and charged with assaulting a woman on April 13.
Even with those players missing or slumping, the Braves are pounding out runs.
“Everyone goes through different things and you press,” Francoeur said. “I know the first home stand, it was tough. We had some tough losses. Besides that one home game against the Cardinals (a 12-2 loss), we were in every game, we just couldn’t get the big hit. Now the last four games we are getting that hit when we need it.”
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