Whit Merrifield is not joking when he says he enjoys the leadoff spot in the lineup.
On Monday, Merrifield hit leadoff for the first time since joining the Atlanta Braves in late July. He responded by going 5-for-5 with a double and two runs in Atlanta’s 10-6 win over the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis.
The veteran will look to stay hot — no matter where he hits in the lineup — when the Braves face the Twins in the second installment of a three-game series on Tuesday.
“I like leading off,” Merrifield said. “Something I’ve done most of my career — most of my life, really. So I like it. Nothing like digging in a fresh batter’s box.”
The Braves needed a leadoff hitter after center fielder Michael Harris II was hit by a pitch on his left hand Sunday against the Washington Nationals. Harris did not start Monday but entered as a sixth-inning sub and went 0-for-1. He said his hand was only bruised, not broken.
“A lot better than (Sunday),” Harris said when asked about his hand. “Initially when it happened, I had enough adrenaline going to stay in for a little while. As it kind of set off, going back up to swing again after contact, I don’t think it was best to do that.”
The Twins are looking to bounce back from two straight losses at home. Minnesota fell behind 9-1 in the second inning Monday before the game was delayed by about an hour and a half by rain. The hosts chipped away at the lead in the late innings but fell short.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was happy that his team continued to give effort after the rain delay and facing a big deficit, but it still did not make him feel satisfied.
“We’re not looking to score a few runs and get the game close,” Baldelli said. “We’re looking to win the game. So it’s hard. You’re starting with an eight-run deficit with a lot of baseball still to play.
“I thought we had some good swings as the game went on. The guys that we threw out there, they pitched well. … But really, we’re through the game. The game is over. And we get to start clean and fresh (Tuesday).”
Minnesota will turn to right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (5-3, 3.69 ERA), who is set to make his 23rd start of the season. He has 99 strikeouts in 112 1/3 innings.
Woods Richardson is looking to win his third start in a row. In his latest outing, he limited the San Diego Padres to one run on four hits in five innings on Wednesday. He struck out seven and walked two.
This will be Woods Richardson’s first career start against the Braves.
Atlanta will counter with right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (5-6, 3.94 ERA), who will make his 15th start. The 24-year-old rookie has 94 strikeouts in 82 1/3 innings.
Schwellenbach will go for back-to-back victories after earning a win against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. He allowed two runs on three hits in 6 2/3 innings, and he walked one while fanning nine.
Schwellenbach has yet to face Minnesota.
–Field Level Media
