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"More than anything, I think he's getting a little tired," Pendleton said of Francoeur, who has started 298 consecutive games, and played all but six innings this season. "I think he needs to relax a little bit and regroup."

When asked if he was tired, Francoeur smiled and said, "I might be. Obviously it might be good to get home and get a day off [Thursday]. I felt a little off [Tuesday], but you've still got to get it done."

Pendleton indicated that Francoeur's competitive nature and the Braves' struggles have conspired to cause him to get into some bad habits at times.

"He tries to do too much," Pendleton said. "He wants to shoulder this whole deal. He wants to win so bad, he's trying to get it all done with one swing every at-bat. And it's not possible. So we had a little talk down in the cage."