PHOENIX – Back in the Braves lineup Wednesday after missing two games with a strained groin, center fielder Cameron Maybin made an immediate impact with his bat and speed.
Maybin hit an infield single and scored from first on a Nick Markakis double in the first inning against the Diamondbacks. He hit a two-out, bases-loaded single to drive in two runs in the second inning, right before Freddie Freeman’s three-run homer pushed the lead to 6-0. And Maybin beat out another infield hit in the fifth inning.
He showed no sign of injury while blazing to first base for his pair of infield. He grounded to shortstop and was called out on a close play at first base, but the Braves challenged, and the call was overturned after video review.
One out later, Maybin loped around the bases to score from first on Nick Markakis’ double down the third-base line to the outfield corner, the third two-out double for Markakis in two days.
Maybin has been a pleasant surprise and one of the Braves’ most productive hitters since late April, batting .302 with five doubles, two homers, 17 RBIs and a .391 on-base percentage in his past 29 games.
He started 17 consecutive games and 26 out of 27 in center field before tweaking his left groin during Sunday’s win at San Francisco.
