Dee scatters bats on ground in slump-busting ritual

ATLANTA -- As it turns out, all the Marlins needed to do to break out of their collective slump was to air out their bats. That's exactly what took place in the clubhouse hours before batting practice on Tuesday at Turner Field.

Willing to try anything to jump-start the offense, second baseman Dee Gordon came up with the bright idea of littering bats all over the floor. "Do Not Touch The Bats!" was written on the message board.

Maybe the pregame ritual had nothing to do with the Marlins' 8-2 win over the Braves, but the ordeal certainly lightened the mood.

"At least we keep it loose still," said Giancarlo Stanton, who had three hits and drove in four runs. "We're not coming in here like our dogs died. We've got to have fun."

Gordon, who had two hits, stole two bases, scored twice and drove in a run, tried to innocently deny his involvement in the bat-scattering display.

"I walked in here today and there were a lot of bats on the floor," the speedy second baseman said. "I was like, 'Who did it?' Nobody knew."

Pressed further, Gordon deadpanned: "It worked, I guess. Whoever did that, they are pretty smart. It helped. He's a team player, I guess."

Right-hander Tom Koehler was the beneficiary of the run support.

"I actually got here while it was going on," Koehler said. "I was really confused. He said, 'Where's your bat? You've got to get a hit today too.' All of a sudden he's dumping out the pitcher's bag."