Slumping Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur
has been sent to the minors to work on his hitting.

Braves spokesman Brad Hainje said Friday that Francoeur was
optioned to Double-A Mississippi.

Francoeur heard boos as he went 0-for-4 Thursday night to drop
his batting average to .234 with eight homers and 41 RBIs. He hit
only .206 in June and is 1-for-12 in three games this month.

Braves manager Bobby Cox had moved Francoeur, who was expected
to join Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann in the middle
of the lineup, down to seventh in the batting order. He hit .293
with 19 homers and drove in 105 runs last season.