Inciarte shows signs of breaking slump

Center fielder has a hit in each of the past four games.

The Braves have had success from despite their Mr. receiving Consistent little of

the past two seasons. Gold-glove center fielder Ender Inciarte tradition- ally is a slow starter. While the Braves sit No. 1 in the National League East, Inciarte has just began show- ing signs of breaking out of his slump.

Inciarte has a hit in each of the past four games. He doubled and launched a behe- moth of a homer into the right-field seats Thursday.

“I’m just trying to help the team, do my best to help the team score runs,” Incia- said. rte good offense. might Inciarte’s offense.” be “We Freddie right NL have MVP about Freeman a pretty favor- the the blossom- ite. ing power, Ozzie Albies’ Nick Markakis’ career-year and contributions from everyone else have pushed the Braves to 40 wins.

The last time the Braves were 12 games over .500, they won 96 games in 2013.

The last time they hit the 40-win plateau this early was in 2003. Their plus-69 run differential, fifth-best in the majors and second in the NL, provides little reason to believe they’ll regress.

The 27-year-old Inciarte is 6-for-14 (.429) with two extra-base hits and four RBIs in his past four games. He hit .162 (12-for-74) with just three extra-base hits and four RBIs across the previous 19 contests.

Much of Inciarte’s shortcomings have come against lefties. He’s 15-for-74 (.203) against southpaws while hitting .268 (52-for-194) against right-handers. Down numbers all the way around 201 “He’s hits for a swinging season a player ago. who the bat, had the last week’s that’s been gradually coming,” manager Brian Snitker said. “We could sure use him. We know what he’s capable of and it’s been a rough go for him so far. Maybe these last few games, we’ve done the right thing to get him going.” Hitting coach Kevin Seitzer told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday that this recent period was the first time he had thought Inciarte kills that groove. ist, at-bats,” him, “He’s and not man. such having Seitzer it I love was a perfection- said. really him. him finding “I Some- when good love his he’s times a we’ve spot it’s tried where just everything, like, you you go, reach now OK, let’s try the last thing. So, we’ll Inciarte’s see.” still provided his usual excellent defense. He leads the majors with 20 steals, and became the first Brave to swipe 13 bags in the month of April. If his bat wakes up, it’d be a welcomed addition to the contending Braves’ lineup.

CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM The Braves’ Ender Inciarte reacts to getting a double against the Mets during their game on Wednesday in Atlanta. Inciarte has provided his usual strong defense and has 20 stolen bases.