Outfielder Reed Johnson got his first start Friday night since July 25, which was three days before he suffered an Achilles injury beating out a ground ball for a hit.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez wanted to give Johnson three at-bats against left-hander Cliff Lee to give him a chance to get on track before the postseason. Johnson went 0-for-3, but got a good test for his Achilles two batters into the game.
Jimmy Rollins hit a fly ball over his head in left field and Johnson was able to track it down for the out, making a nice running catch.
“It’s good to get out there and obviously get tested in the first inning there,” Johnson said. “Took some good at-bats, hit a couple balls hard and just kind move from there.”
Johnson said he expected to be a little sore when he wakes up Saturday morning but nothing that would keep him from doing his usual pinch-hit duties.
“I’m sure it’s not going to be too bad,” Johnson said. “I’ll probably ice it a couple times and go to work tomorrow, be ready to pinch hit.”
Johnson had gotten five pinch-hit at-bats since the Braves activated him from the disabled list Sept. 17. He has continued to give the Braves confidence that his Achilles won’t prevent him from being effective in the postseason.
“I was pleased at him getting three at-bats, him going out there, running around a little bit,” Gonzalez said. “That’s a big piece for us coming off the bench as a pinch hitter.”
Johnson is the Braves best pinch hitter, and he is still second in the majors with a .306 (11-for-36) batting average as a pinch hitter, despite missing six weeks with the injury.
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