Leading off
Nick Markakis is the fourth lead-off man the Braves have employed this young season and if you think you’ve seen this movie, you’re right. The Braves have been looking for a lead-off hitter ever since Michael Bourn left town after the 2011 season.
Over the past two seasons, the Braves have used 11 players to bat first and of those 11, just three remain with the team: Andrelton Simmons, Chris Johnson and Phil Gosselin.
The first three to try the job this month: Eric Young Jr., Jace Peterson and Cameron Maybin. The reason auditions are still on-going? The Braves opened the Nationals series with their lead-off hitters batting .200, 13th in the NL.
From Washington
Writes Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post as the Nationals hit town:
“But save a few potent games in Boston and against the Phillies, this Nationals’ slump has lasted nearly all season. They have scored three runs or fewer in 11 of their 19 games and in five of their last six. For the most part, the numbers explain the story: The Nationals are hitting .222 as a team this season, fifth worst in baseball. They have struck out 150 times, third most in baseball. Their on-base percentage and slugging percentage rank in the lower third of major league teams, and their strikeout percentage (percentage of outs recorded via strikeout) ranks among the highest in baseball. Their 138 hits are sixth fewest in the majors. They scored four runs in three games against the Marlins this weekend. …
“The Nationals have not done a good job of making their own luck so far this season. They are having trouble scoring runs, but they are not doing much to create them. They have stolen three bases this year, fewest in the majors. They have bunted runners over twice, second fewest in the majors.”
On base with Yunel
No one has apparently told Nats third baseman Yunel Escobar his team is slumping. The former Brave, now 32 and with his third team in four years, entered the series with a 16-game on-base streak, after singling and walking twice in Miami on Sunday. He was hitting .311 during the streak and struck out just five times in 72 plate appearances this month.
He once had a 25-game on-base streak while playing with Toronto in 2011.
Tonight’s specials
- Coca-Cola $12 Tuesdays: Club Pavilion tickets are available for only $12 every Tuesday, fans save up to 57%.
- MLB.com Ballpark app check-in offer: One random person will receive an autographed Jonny Gomes baseball. Fans can redeem at Fan Central near aisle 132.
- MLB.com Ballpark app check-in offer: Academy Sports + Outdoors Gift Card: Every 115th person who checks in will receive an Academy Sports + Outdoors gift card (valid up to 460 fans, four fans per game). Fans can redeem the gift card at Fan Central near aisle 132.
