Maikel Franco has 4 hits, drives in 5 as Nationals trounce Braves

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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.

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Washington Nationals' Maikel Franco (7) follows through on a three-run double in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, April 11, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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 1/3 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