Two home runs Saturday night got B.J. Upton bumped up to fifth in the Braves lineup Sunday night, the highest he’d hit in the Braves order since batting second on May 13th. He’d hit sixth in the previous three games and continued to show progress at the plate, after hitting .145 the first two months of the season.
“You start seeing the swings getting better,” said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who was able to split up left-handers Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann in the process. “I think moving him up to the sixth hole the last couple times freed him up a little bit on the basepaths (too).”
Upton stole two bases in two games while batting in the sixth spot. He’s spent 30 games this season in the seventh or eighth hole where it’s more difficult to run with the pitcher’s spot coming up because the runner don’t want to risk being the third out and forcing the pitcher to lead off the next inning.
Gonzalez started Ramiro Pena at second base Sunday for Dan Uggla, who was 0-for-13 with six strikeouts in his career against Tim Lincecum. McCann caught rookie Julio Teheran Sunday night but Gonzalez said he plans to start Evan Gattis for two straight days in the Mets series, including one game in Tuesday’s doubleheader. Gonzalez is planning to play him one of those games in left field and one game behind the plate.
The Braves still haven’t announced who will start the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader but left-hander Alex Wood is the most likely candidate. He took batting practice with the rest of the Braves starters for the second straight day on Sunday. The Braves wanted to leave it open in case they needed Wood to pitch in relief Sunday or Monday.
