Have to give credit to Nick Markakis

[Matt P]

Wow, he has been incredible since his return. I've been down on him for a couple years now but his hitting since he returned from the DL and became the leadoff hitter has been remarkable. He couldn't have been higher than .265 before he got hurt and he's now up to .292 ... crazy.

[Don]

It is good to see him maintain the contact ability with the hammett bone injury, allowing him to play a productive leadoff spot. I went on record thinking it was 10-16 weeks before his total game would come back, power is still down the road, but overall he is providing a solid top of the order bat....

You just would hope there would be some consistency behind him, which is way too sporadic to make a daily impact.

[OriolesRedskins28]

Wow, he has been incredible since his return. I've been down on him for a couple years now but his hitting since he returned from the DL and became the leadoff hitter has been remarkable. He couldn't have been higher than .265 before he got hurt and he's now up to .292 ... crazy.

I think he should remain the leadoff hitter moving forward, he seems to be very comfortable there and provides a solid OBP.

[TuckerBlair89]

He's also only struck out once the entire month of July.

[mikezpen]

Absolutely leave him at lead-off headed toward next year.

[Rising O's]

So once again we learn that Nick thrives at the top of the order. But Buck refused to move him from the #3. Just like when Buck replied testily about putting someone other than Hardy in the #2 spot. Sometimes managers need to be forced into making changes.