Marcell

Ozuna

Ozuna also drew a pair of walks. The 34-year-old has not been able to come close to matching his impressive numbers over the last two campaigns, but he is now up to 21 homers and 67 RBI over 142 games.

Incredibly, it’s Ozuna’s first three-hit game since May 22, though the fact that he’s walked 90 times does factor in there. Still, Ozuna had been slumping big-time of late. He had as many RBI today as he did in previous 27 games combined, and he still hasn’t homered since hitting his 20th on Aug. 13.

This was a grind-it-out game on both sides where runs were tough to come by. Ozuna scored each of the Braves runs after hitting his two doubles and is trying to get back into a groove after playing sporadically over the last few weeks.

The Sean Murphy injury cleared the way for Ozuna to finish the season as the Braves’ everyday DH, but he needs to hit. Alas, he’s at just .130/.250/.185 with two RBI in his last 18 games. The Braves have Jake Fraley in the outfield and Ronald Acuña Jr. DHing tonight.

Murphy will undergo surgery and is done for the year. Sandy León was called up to serve as Drake Baldwin’s backup. This should end the days of the Braves’ second catcher occasionally serving as a DH, so Marcell Ozuna will benefit.

It’s the third time in the last five games that the 34-year-old slugger has found himself back on the bench for the Braves. Ronald Acuna Jr. will serve as the team’s designated hitter on Sunday while Eli White will draw a start in right field and will bat sixth against Phillies’ left-hander Jesus Luzardo.

The team is giving Ronald Acuña Jr. a partial day off by using him at DH. Jake Fraley, who probably wishes he was picked up by another team, is making his first start (and appearance of any kind) since being claimed off waivers eight days ago.

Ozuna has been an everyday player of late, but a lengthy slump from him could result in the Braves going back to using Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy simultaneously. Ozuna is 4-for-20 with just that one RBI tonight in his last six games.

That’s three homers in two games and six in 12 games for Ozuna, who is back serving as the Braves’ primary DH after taking a backseat to the team’s catcher tandem prior to the trade deadline. His current .796 OPS is his high mark since late June.

Ozuna had a big day at the plate after sitting out the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader. He got the start at designated hitter for the second game and hit a pair of homers, driving in four runs. The 34-year-old slugger is up to 18 homers with 53 RBI while slashing .239/.367/.419 across 442 plate appearances.