CHICAGO – Amidst one of the worst Aprils in franchise history, Nick Markakis has been a glaring exception for the Braves. The veteran right fielder has, in fact, been exceptional.
After going 4-for-5 with a double and three RBIs in an eight-game skid-snapping, 5-3 win Thursday at Boston, Markakis was batting .305 with a .412 on-base percentage in 22 games before Friday and was tied for the major league lead with 11 doubles and fourth in the National League with 19 RBIs.
He led the majors with a .531 average (17-for-32) with runners in base, including .545 (12-for-22) with a .600 OBP and .727 slugging percentage when batting with runners in scoring position. Which explains how Markakis could have 19 RBIs on a team that had a total of only 73 RBIs before Friday.
“It’s also about getting opportunities, too,” Markakis said. “You’ve got to have guys on to produce. This year, speaking for myself, guys have been getting on at a pretty good clip for me. Whether it’s first base, second base, scoring position, I’ve been able to put the ball where the opposing team isn’t. That translates to some RBIs and runs scored.
“But it’s just a matter of feeling comfortable up there, being comfortable in those situations, not trying to do too much up there.”
No other Brave had more than seven RBIs before Friday. Markakis had more than three times as many RBIs as either Freddie Freeman or Adonis Garcia (six apiece before Friday) despite the fact that Markakis has batted in the leadoff spot since April 15.
“He’s been the most steady hitter we’ve had since Day 1,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “He continued from last year. We put him in the leadoff spot and he’s been able to produce some runs and do all the stuff we wanted him to do.”
Markakis was 15-for-49 (.306) with a .424 on-base percentage, eight walks and 11 RBIs in 12 games batting leadoff before Friday.
