ATLANTA -- When Nick Markakis signed with the Braves in December, there was not much reason to believe that a home run in the first inning of a late July game would garner much attention. But as the veteran outfielder has battled back from offseason neck surgery, he has been forced to remain patient.
Markakis' two-run shot off Brandon Beachy in the Braves' 7-5 win over the Dodgers on Monday night was his first home run since Sept. 25, a span of 356 at-bats. Though the Braves right fielder was aware of why the event was significant, he was more satisfied with the outcome it helped produce.