Braves catcher Tyler Flowers recognized a fastball in the first inning. He didn’t miss it as he took the pitch over the center-field wall.
“It was a fastball middle away,” Flowers said. “I think he was trying to go back door, and it ran back over the plate a little bit. You got to look for the hard stuff, otherwise you have no shot.”
The home run was Flowers’ second of the season. It also gave the Braves a 2-0 lead. However, the lead would evaporate as the Braves lost to Milwaukee 6-2.
The loss pushed the Braves’ home record to 2-20. It also tied the team (12-34) with the 1906 and 1911 squads for the worst record after 46 games in a season.
While the team has disappointed, Flowers’ strong play has served as a bright spot for the club.
“Right now, for the last little bit, I haven’t missed many pitches as I normally do,” Flowers said. “The ability to hit what you are looking for and put it in play is the byproduct of the good results.”
Over his past nine games, Flowers has hit .333 (10-30) with four extra-base hits. This also includes two home runs and an on-base percentage of nearly .400 in the span. He said the recent success comes from being selective at the plate.
“I feel like most of the teams have been attacking me the same as they had in the past,” Flowers said. “I am just doing a better job of being more selective.”
Braves interim manager Brian Snitker has noticed Flowers’ success. He has inserted him into the fourth spot in the lineup behind Freddie Freeman. Snitker likes his ability and was pleased with the home run to start the game.
“He is swinging the bat really well and playing good,” Snitker said. “Hopefully he can keep it going. You know, we want to continue to build it around him, and hopefully something will take off.”
Flowers believes it can happen. He said the key is to just be continuing to follow the same routine.
“I’m just trying to do the same thing and that has been the challenge for everybody,” Flowers said. “Myself and everybody in the game is just trying to find some way to be consistent as possible.”
