The Braves didn’t figure to have much pop in their lineup this season after trading away three of their best sluggers but it turns out they are getting power from three outfielders who aren’t in the lineup every day.
Kelly Johnson (60 at-bats) hit his team-leading fifth home run on Sunday afternoon against the Reds. Later in the game Jonny Gomes (44 at-bats) smacked his third homer of the season, . The previous night Cameron Maybin (45 at-bats) clubbed his fourth homer of the season, tied with regular first baseman Freddie Freeman for second-most on the team.
Lately Johnson, 33, has become a lineup regular. He started six consecutive games in right field through Saturday and then was at third base on Sunday after manager Fredi Gonzalez had said he planned to rest him.
Gonzalez decided he needed to jeep Johnson’s bat in the lineup.
“That’s why we make lineups in pencil,” Gonzalez said. “You see the (good) at-bats. Sooner or later we’ve got to give him one (rest day) because he’s not a young kid anymore. It was one of those game-time decisions this morning when I came in… . He made me look good, I guess.”
Johnson is in his second stint with the Braves. They selected him in the first round of the 2000 draft and he played in 490 games for the Braves from 2005-2009 before going on to play for six other clubs over the past five seasons.
“There’s a comfort level with Kelly,” Gonzalez said. “We had him here when I was a coach. He’s a straight professional, great makeup. We talked about what the job title could be, he was in on it. He won the job in spring training. And good for us that we were able to pick up a veteran left-handed hitter that can play off the bench and play multiple outfield positions and he’s a threat at the plate.”
Johnson said he’s glad to be back in the place where he broke into the majors.
“It’s a cool feeling,” Johnson said. “I live here and everything so it’s coming home and all that. But it’s still coming in and playing baseball and trying prepare and be the best you can. I’m just grinding it out and trying to get better.”
Maybin hit his fourth homer, a two-run shot, in Saturday’s 8-4 loss to the Reds. It was Maybin’s first game played since Tuesday against the Nationals.
“That’s my motto: I don’t complain, just wait and be ready,” Maybin said. “It’s unfortunate we didn’t win the game (Saturday) but it’s nice to be in the mix.”
Maybin was in the lineup again against the Reds and hit a run-scoring single in the sixth against starter Johnny Cueto.
“He’s a guy that can swing the bat, stay hot,” Gonzalez said. “He’s got four home runs in the young season in (45) at-bats. That’s good. He’s been working his tail off with (hitting coaches) Jose (Castro) and Kevin (Seitzer) to get his swing right. He never puts his head down. When he doesn’t play he’s always ready. He’s reaping some of the rewards.”
Gomes was in left field on Sunday for his first start since April 25. His home run was his first since he knocked a go-ahead, pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning of the Braves’ 8-7 victory at Toronto on April 17.
Gomes is the active leader in the majors with 10 career pinch-hit home runs.
