Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson is showing confidence at the plate, going 19-for-64 (.297) with four home runs and 17 RBIs in August. In the previous three seasons, Brinson, once a top prospect after the Marlins acquired him from the Brewers, had a tough time getting over the Mendoza line.

Now, Brinson has raised his batting average to a career high .260 entering Friday’s action against the Reds. He appears to be at his best when he swings at the first pitch. In fact, Brinson is 18-for-67 (.269) when he goes after the first pitch.

According to manager Don Mattingly, Brinson now knows how to put a game plan together and has a better feel of what pitchers are trying to do to him.

“I think Lew deserves a ton of credit because he has been through a lot. His first couple of years were tough years,” Mattingly said. “... It’s hard to keep a good faith, continue to work. There are probably a lot of guys that wouldn’t have been able to persevere through that. I think he has continued to work. Our hitting staff gets a lot of credit for getting through and showing him the things that he needed to do to have success."

Worth noting
Right-hander Pablo López, on the injured list because of a rotator cuff strain, is scheduled to have a rehab assignment on Saturday for Triple-A Jacksonville. He is scheduled for three innings or 45 pitches. Mattingly is looking forward to getting López back on a mound soon. In 19 games for Miami, López was 5-5 with a 3.03 ERA.

“He has bounced back from the sore shoulder pretty quick,” Mattingly said. “I think it’s more important for him to get back on the mound and know he is healthy, to be able to go and compete and then have a normal winter. I always like him when he is out there. He is a quality starter. “