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By Brian Pitts

Enterprise Record

Sometimes in baseball, nothing makes sense.

Whit Merrifield went 5 for 5 in an Atlanta win at Minnesota on Aug. 26, lifting his average to .313 in 26 games with the Braves. Then he went 0-fer in the next four games.

Baseball is just a funny game.

But back to Merrifield’s big night in Minnesota. He matched his career high in hits by singling in the first inning, doubling in the second and singling in the third, the sixth and the eighth to help the Braves win 10-6.

At this point, Merrifield’s numbers with the Braves were .313 average, .427 on-base percentage, .450 slugging percentage and .877 OPS. Compare that to his 53 games with the Phillies, who released Merrifield on July 12: .199 average, .277 OBP, .295 slugging and .572 OPS.

“I know I can do it,” Merrifield told reporters. “You’re not gonna get five hits every night, but sometimes when the stars align, take advantage. That’s kind of what happened tonight.”

When Merrifield got released by the Phils, he came home to Davie County and was enjoying just being a dad. (He became a first-time father in March.) But then Atlanta Ozzie Albies broke his wrist and the Braves needed help at second base. Merrifield said he had offers from the Yankees and the Braves. He signed a one-year deal with the Braves.

A big turnaround ensued. After only managing 31 hits for the Phillies, Merrifield had 25 hits in his first 26 games with the Braves.

“He’s just a pro,” Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson said. “Nobody’s shocked. He could go out any time and do that. He’s working counts, he’s shooting (balls through) the holes, he’s driving balls to gaps, he’s able to run the bases, play good defense. You can’t just find guys to pick up and plug in like that very often. We got lucky that he was out there when something happened to Ozzie, and he’s fit in perfectly in the clubhouse and on the field for us.”

After going 5 for 5, Merrifield felt the opposite end of the spectrum in the next game, going 0 for 6. He went through an 0-for-20 stretch before going 1-4 on Saturday.