19 Andrelton Simmons, SS

Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons finished 0 for 2 after entering the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning during Atlanta's 5-1 loss at San Francisco on Sunday. It was his third straight hitless outing -- matching his longest stretch of the season -- following a five-game hitting streak that included seven RBI.

Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons extended his hitting streak to five games Wednesday against the Reds with a career-high four hits in five at-bats. He had three singles and his sixth double.

Simmons is batting .500 (11 for 22) with two home runs, four doubles, four runs and six RBI in his last five games. Simmons has seven multi-hit games in his last 16 outings. He's batting .355 (22 for 62) in that span, raising his season average from .185 to .276.

Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who had his first multi-homer game Monday, credited his career performance to Saturday's rainout because it allowed him to work with slugger Justin Upton, according to MLB.com. Upton told Simmons to stay back in his batting stance as long as possible in order to have enough time to react to the ball and attack it.

Simmons is batting .412 (7 for 17) with two home runs, three doubles and six RBI in his last four games.

"I'm feeling better [and] getting my timing back," Simmons said. "I'm right where I need to be right now."

Simmons is also getting it done in the field, as he has yet to record an error in 130 chances this season. He has just three errors in 358 career chances, which has translated to a .992 fielding percentage.

"I think when it's all said and done after this year, we're going to be talking about him as one of the top shortstops in baseball," Braves catcher Brian McCann said. "We've had some unbelievable shortstops since I've been here with [Rafael] Furcal, [Edgar] Renteria and Alex Gonzalez -- and he's right there with all of them. His range is unmatched, he makes all the routine plays and he can also swing it. We're lucky to have his talent around here."

Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons went 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBI in a 7-4 win in Monday's series opener against the Reds.

The 23-year-old hit a solo shot off starter Bronson Arroyo in his first at-bat then singled home Dan Uggla his next time up. He added a two-run homer in the eighth.

Simmons has gone 9 for 25 (.360) in his last six games with three homers and seven RBI.

Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons finished 2 for 5 with a pair of doubles during a 9-4 victory over the Mets Sunday. Simmons was back in the leadoff spot after a three-game absence from the position and produced his first outing of the season with multiple extra-base hits while improving his average to .233.