MIAMI—To get a measure of how much the Braves will miss Kelly Johnson’s surprising pop in the middle of the lineup just look at the shakeup in the order without him.
Johnson was batting cleanup and leading the team in home runs when he went on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique injury on Wednesday. His absence prompted manager Fredi Gonzalez to change four of the top five spots in the batting order for the series opener against the Marlins on Friday.
Gonzalez moved hot-hitting second baseman Jace Peterson to the lead-off spot. Right fielder Nick Markakis moved from No. 1 to cleanup and Phil Gosselin replaced slumping third baseman Alberto Callapso and hit second. Finally, Andrelton Simmons’ recent power surge had Gonzalez hit him fifth instead of second.
“I think that’s the best we can come up with,” Gonzalez said. “I think it’s a good lineup, really.”
Markakis entered Friday leading the team in on-base percentage. His knack for getting on base prompted Gonzalez to make him the No. 1 hitter starting on April 25.
Markakis had no home runs in 146 at-bats entering Friday but Gonzalez said he’s the best choice to bat fourth with Johnson out and catcher A.J. Pierzynski not in the lineup. Moving Markakis down also allows Peterson to hit lead off after he’d batted .370 with a .436 OBP in his past 16 games entering Friday. Simmons raised his slugging percentage from .360 on May 1 to .436 entering Friday.
“’Petey’ is swinging the bat, he’s been on a tear,” Gonzalez said. “For me, he’s the best candidate to (bat lead off) from the players we have. Simmons is swinging the bat, he’s had some nice run production, so put him in the middle behind ‘Nicky.’”
