Camargo back in the lineup as Braves make push for title

Johan Camargo rejoined the lineup Monday after a four-game absence as the Braves opened a three-game series with the Cardinals.

Camargo exited the Sept. 11 game in San Francisco with left-groin tightness. The Braves felt the third baseman could’ve returned over the weekend but took a more cautious approach.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to see your name in the lineup again,” Camargo said through an interpreter. “Obviously it hasn’t been the easiest process, but throughout that time I kept my confidence and held my head high. So I’m excited to be back in there.”

The absence wasn’t long enough for Camargo to feel discouraged. He only missed the finale against the Giants and the Nationals series. Charlie Culberson filled in admirably over that time (4-for-14, three RBIs) and the Braves went 2-2.

Camargo hit fifth and manned third in his return. He’d hit No. 2 prior to the injury, and excelled doing so, but manager Brian Snitker opted to work him back lower in the order.

Snitker likes Camargo in the fifth spot, behind Nick Markakis, with Ozzie Albies hitting second.

Camargo has hit .333/.388/.514 with three homers and 20 RBIs across 27 games in the 5-hole.

Countdown to title: Entering Monday’s games, the “magic number” for the Braves to win the National League East Division title was eight. Any combination of Braves victories and Phillies losses that equals the magic number will result in the title for the Braves.

Both teams lost Sunday, so the Braves’ magic number was reduced from nine. The Braves lost to the Nationals 6-4 and the Phillies lost to the Marlins 6-4.

To calculate the magic number, take the number of games remaining on the leading team’s schedule, add the number one, and subtract the number of games the first-place team leads by in the loss column.

The Braves (83-66) had 13 games to play and led the Phillies (76-72) by six games in the loss column (6½ games overall). So take 13, add one and subtract six to get eight. The Phillies had 14 games remaining.

The Braves and Phillies play each other seven more times this season: Thursday-Sunday at SunTrust Park and Sept. 28-30 in Philadelphia.

The NL playoffs begin with the wild-card game Tuesday, Oct. 2. The division series begins Thursday, Oct. 4.

RALPH FRESO / GETTY IMAGES Johan Camargo (right) of the Braves celebrates with Ronald Acuna Jr. after Camargo’s ninth-inning homer Sept. 9 against the Diamondbacks.