Chris Johnson entered Sunday in a 3-for-22 stretch that had dropped his average to .250 overall and .133 (2-for-15) with runners in scoring position. The third baseman, who started the season in the cleanup position, had one homer, two walks and 23 strikeouts in 84 at-bats before Sunday’s series finale against Cincinnati.
It’s early, but that’s not what was expected from the guy who finished second in the National League batting race last season with a .321 average, and ranked among league leaders with a .321 average with runners in scoring position.
“I just need to get my bat path a little better,” Johnson said during the weekend. “I’m a little in and out of the zone right now and need to make some adjustments. That’s why I’m popping balls up or coming around them at shortstop, my bat path is in and out of the zone. I’ve been working on that, because once my bat path is right it doesn’t matter about my timing – if I get beat a little (late on pitch) my bat’s still in the zone.”
Johnson was 6-for-12 against left-handed pitchers, but just 15-for-72 (.208) against right-handers. This after batting .299 against right-handers in 2013 and .284 in more than 1,000 at-bats against them during the past three seasons combined.
He said he didn’t think it was a matter of any particular difficulties against righties.
“I think it’s just general struggles,” Johnson said. “I’m not really pressing a panic button or anything like that. I know my swing. I know I just need to get my bat path right, get my bat in the right spot, then everything will come.”
