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Refreshed Franco bounces back after night off
- Updated: June 3, 2016
PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies had a lot of questions coming into this season. One thing they were counting on, though, was that third baseman Maikel Franco would be a big bat in the middle of their lineup.
But Franco has struggled. He was given Wednesday night off in part because he was hitting .220 with three home runs and a .620 OPS since April 23.
• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for Franco and other #ASGWorthy players
And it may have helped. He singled sharply to left in his first at-bat against the Brewers on Thursday night and drilled his ninth home run of the season into the seats in left his second time up. He had two of the Phillies’ five hits as they fell, 4-1, for a seventh straight loss.
“I felt pretty good,” Franco said. “It [the day off] was good for me. It made me feel relaxed at the plate. I was just trying to be positive every single day. I came in every day and tried to do my job.
“I know when I’ve got my rhythm at the plate and can see more pitches. This game was much better.”
Manager Pete Mackanin said, with the Phillies struggling offensively, the 23-year-old may be trying to do too much.
“Possibly. He might be trying to carry the team,” Mackanin said. …
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