"The words could have just as easily come out of Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez's mouth. Ex-Marlins manager and current Braves skipper Fredi Gonzalez spoke about Dan Uggla's struggles before Tuesday's series opener. It might as well have been Rodriguez discussing Hanley Ramirez.

Gonzalez said Uggla was helping the club win games in other ways, playing outstanding defensive, the way he's running the bases. Rodriguez on multiple occasions has said the same thing about Ramirez's play.

Out of 82 qualifying National League hitters, Uggla ranks 82nd with a .172 batting average. Ramirez, currently on the disabled list with a strained back, is one slot ahead with a .210 average. In OPS, Ramirez (.615) and Uggla (.552) rank 77th and 81st, respectively.

Joked Uggla: "It looks like we need each other or something. He's a great, great hitter and he's going to continue to be a great hitter. He's going to come out of his thing just like I'm going to come out of mine."