After benching Dan Uggla twice in seven games, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez dropped the second baseman, who entered the game hitting .178, to seventh in the batting order Wednesday.
He then popped out to second base with the bases loaded on the first pitch he saw in the first inning.
Uggla last started a game hitting lower than sixth in July 2009, when then-Marlins manager Gonzalez batted him seventh in two consecutive games.
Gonzalez penciled him into the seven-hole in three games Aug. 27-29, 2008, the only other times in a six-year major league career that Uggla hit lower than sixth in a starting lineup before Wednesday.
His career-worst slump deepened in recent weeks, and he was a staggering 4-for-47 (.085) with no extra-base hits and one RBI in his past 14 games.
After deciding to “give him a breather” by not starting Uggla on Tuesday, Gonzalez joked Wednesday that Uggla was too much of a “pain” pacing in the dugout to set him two games in a row.
“He’s your everyday second baseman,” Gonzalez said. “He can’t break out of that [slump] sitting on the bench. There comes a point where you just give him a little mental rest and then run him back in there, let him play. He’s earned that.”
The Braves traded Omar Infante and left-handed reliever Mike Dunn to the Marlins for Uggla in November, then signed him to a five-year, $62 million contract extension before spring training.
Uggla averaged nearly 31 home runs and 93 RBIs in five seasons with the Marlins, including career-highs of 33 homers and 105 RBIs in 2010.
Before Wednesday, his .178 average this season was the second-lowest among National League qualifiers, and his .568 OPS was third-lowest. With runners in scoring position, his .118 average was also third-lowest.
Sore Chipper in lineup
Chipper Jones was back in the lineup Wednesday, a day after tweaking his groin. The 39-year-old third baseman said after Tuesday’s game that he planned to play Wednesday because other Braves were out hurt.
Jones told Gonzalez as much after Tuesday’s game and again after arriving at the ballpark Wednesday. “He wants to play,” Gonzalez said. “We’re going to keep an eye on him. Late in the game, when we’re down and we need a base runner, maybe take him out for a base runner or for defense, so he doesn’t aggravate it.”
Jones was hitting a modest .257 with four homers before Wednesday, but was second on the team with 31 RBIs and ranked among NL leaders in walks (29) and intentional walks (six).
“He promised me that he’s going to manage it, and he’ll let me know if it’s going to get worse [playing him],” Gonzalez said. “I’d rather give him one [day off] than him need 15 because the leg blows up — then we would be in deep [trouble].
“He wants to play [hurt]. And you know what, good for him. I think we need more of that in our game sometimes.”
Jones, who has also been playing with a sore right knee, took a tumble on a first-inning infield hit Wednesday after the Padres first baseman veered into his path while trying to field a throw. He stayed on the ground a few moments, but got up and remained in the game after being checked on by Gonzalez and a team trainer.
Freeman hits fifth
Rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman was fifth in the batting order Wednesday, behind cleanup hitter Brian McCann. They’ve been the team’s hottest hitters recently.
“Freeman’s been swinging the bat well lately, and it gives you a little protection for McCann,” Gonzalez said.
Freeman hit .362 with six extra-base hits and a .500 slugging percentage in his past 15 games before Wednesday, and McCann had batted .362 with 11 extra-base hits (four homers) and a .766 slugging percentage in his past 12.
