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2-HR game Braves’ first since Opening Day
- Updated: May 17, 2016
PITTSBURGH — Embarrassed by the reality that they had not yet reached a double-digit home run total with nearly a quarter of the season complete, the Braves opted to alter their approach as they took batting practice before Monday night’s series opener against the Pirates at PNC Park.
Instead of simply focusing on situational hitting, they opted to revert to the traditional method of making at least a portion of batting practice resemble a modified version of the Home Run Derby. It might have been coincidental or simply a product of the law of averages finally taking effect, but courtesy of the two-run shots supplied by Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson, the Braves produced their first multi-homer game since Opening Day and reached 11 homers on the year in an 8-5 loss to the Pirates.
“Chipper [Jones] used to always say that if you don’t practice home runs, you can’t hit them,” Francoeur said. “That’s not to say we gave up approach or anything, but I think you really saw us try to drive the ball tonight when you had a good opportunity. You’ve got to be smart about it. You can’t be dumb.”
The Braves certainly …
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