Braves right fielder Jason Heyward hit a line-drive home run to left-center off of Jordan Zimmermann in the first inning Friday against the Nationals.
That's not unexpected for Heyward, who entered Friday tied with six other players for the Grapefruit Lead in home runs.
More surprising Heyward's bunt single in the fifth inning Friday night against the Nationals. The hit moved Reed Johnson to second with no outs, and Heyward and Johnson scored on B.J. Upton's two-out double.
Heyward figures that's a scenario that will play out during the season so he's working on bunting for hits.
“Being in the two hole this year, if that is where I'm going to be, I like our chances if we got first and second and nobody out and Justin Upton at the plate with Freddie Freeman and B.J. Upton behind him,” Heyward said.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez's said Heyward can present a threat with bunts.
“He's got to work on that,” Gonzalez said. “Last year (opponents) really shifted him. They over-shifted at times. He's got to really make them respect that bunt. With his speed, he gets on base, it could be (like) a double (with steals). It could be extra bases.”
Heyward has five hits in 15 spring at-bats, including three homers, with one walk and four strikeouts.
“I would probably say 25 more at-bats and I will have seen enough pitches to be ready,” he said. “I like to get more and more 'ABs,' go out there and just get the reps, see the pitches and be able to react to certain situations.”
He said that includes bunting when the circumstances call for it.
“If I'm going to be in the two hole, eventually I'm going to have to get (bunts) down,” Heyward said. “Down here is the time to get that work in and build the confidence of doing it during the season.”
Short hops
Braves second baseman Dan Uggla struck out four times in four at-bats against the Nationals, including consecutive three-pitch strikeouts. He has struck out 10 times in 16 spring at-bats with two hits and two walks. . . .
The starting pitchers scheduled for the Braves: Kris Medlen (Saturday at Houston), Mike Minor (Sunday vs. Detroit), Tim Hudson (Monday at Mets).
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