Franco drives in five as Nationals batter Braves
ATLANTA — Maikel Franco knew he needed an adjustment after his 1-for-13 start to the season.
A new approach paved the way for a dramatic turnaround for Franco and the Washington Nationals.
Franco drove in five runs on four hits, including a two-run homer, as the Washington Nationals beat Huascar Ynoa and the Atlanta Braves 11-2 on Monday night.
Franco homered to cap a five-run third inning, then added a three-run double off Tucker Davidson when the Nationals scored five more in the eighth to turn the game into a rout.
“That was a great adjustment for me today, just coming back, don’t think about anything, just go out there and see the ball and have a good game for me and for my team,” Franco said.
Franco said his main adjustment at the plate was “just don’t chase those pitches down and away” and “attack my zone.”
The Braves (2-3) lost their second in a row. Most fans in the sellout crowd of 42,263 left with their World Series replica rings, a much-anticipated promotion, well before the end of the game.
Josh Rogers (1-0) allowed only one run on two hits in 5 ⅓ innings in an impressive fill-in start for Washington. The left-hander was recalled from Triple-A Rochester when scheduled starter Aníbal Sánchez was placed on the 10-day injured list with a stiff neck.
“I think I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t mad or down,” said Rogers of his emotions when sent to Rochester. “I tried to go to Triple-A and have a good attitude and turn the page.”
Manager Dave Martinez said he promised Rogers, “‘you’re going to be up here. Be patient. You’re going to be the first one we call.’ ”
Lane Thomas doubled in two runs off Ynoa (0-1) in the third inning before Franco’s homer over Washington’s bullpen in left field pushed the lead to 5-1.
Ynoa allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks in three innings.
“He’s still trying to figure things out,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker of the 23-year-old Ynoa. “He’s not a finished product yet . ... I have confidence in him making the adjustments he needs to make.”
Martinez met with his coaches before the game after learning the Nationals might be put up for sale. Martinez said managing principal owner Mark Lerner called him Monday morning to say his family is exploring the possibility of selling the team.
“To say the least, I was shocked,”
Martinez said. “... We’ll see where it takes us, but I don’t want any distractions down here. We’re still going to play baseball and play to
win.”
Orioles 2, Brewers 0: Cedric Mullins hit a two-run single, Bruce Zimmermann pitched four sharp innings and the Baltimore Orioles won their opening game at a slightly altered Camden Yards, 2-0 over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday.
On the 30th anniversary of its inaugural season, Baltimore’s ballpark looked noticeably different after the wall in left field was pushed back and made taller in the offseason. The new dimensions weren’t a factor in this game, though.
Mullins, whose 30-30 campaign was one of the few bright spots in a 110-loss season for the Orioles last year, singled with the bases loaded in the second.
Baltimore won for the first time this season after being swept in a three-game series at Tampa Bay.
Zimmermann, the first Maryland-born pitcher to start a home opener for the Orioles since 1990, allowed three hits, struck out four and walked two. Mike Baumann (1-0) pitched 2 ⅓ innings in relief,
followed by Dillon Tate and Cionel Pérez. Jorge López worked a hitless
ninth for the save.