Despite an off night for Tim Redding the Nats used their bats to take out one of the best teams in baseball. The Diamondbacks Micah Owings had no answer for the Nats line up as they sprayed nine hits and converted seven runs. The Nats bats topped off by Willie Harris’s three run homer was the deciding factor, as Washington won 7-4.
Put me in coach
The Nationals had five players in their starting line up Friday night that were not in the opening day starting nine. Maybe Barack Obama is right, change is good. The Nats reserves who started last night batted only 5/21 on the night, they scored four of the Nationals seven runs and recorded the only two extra base hits of the night. Willie Harris became the latest Washington National to bust out of a season long slum. Harris took over for Felipe Lopez at second base and hit the all important three run homer that decided the game in the seventh.
Last night was the first time Harris had played second base since 2006 when he played two innings there for the Red Sox. Harris’s versatility has been incredibly valuable for the Nats this season despite his poor hitting. He has already played second base, shortstop, and third base, as well as left and center field in 2008.
Elijah Dukes turns a 180
On May 23rd, the Nationals put right fielder Austin Kearns on the disabled list with Loose Bodies in his right arm. Since that time young Elijah Dukes has been given the starting position and with it has received a bid of confidence from manager Manny Acta. In the last eight games following the Kearns Injury Dukes is batting .333 (6/18), with an on base percentage of .500 (12/24) with five runs scored.
Last night Dukes produced in one of the hardest roles in baseball, as a pinch hitter and then a sub. In two plate appearances he reached base both times recording a walk and a single. Dukes reaching base allowed Willie Harris to hit the three run homer that put the Nats on top.
GUZMAN WATCH
Put me in coach
The Nationals had five players in their starting line up Friday night that were not in the opening day starting nine. Maybe Barack Obama is right, change is good. The Nats reserves who started last night batted only 5/21 on the night, they scored four of the Nationals seven runs and recorded the only two extra base hits of the night. Willie Harris became the latest Washington National to bust out of a season long slum. Harris took over for Felipe Lopez at second base and hit the all important three run homer that decided the game in the seventh.
Last night was the first time Harris had played second base since 2006 when he played two innings there for the Red Sox. Harris’s versatility has been incredibly valuable for the Nats this season despite his poor hitting. He has already played second base, shortstop, and third base, as well as left and center field in 2008.
Elijah Dukes turns a 180
On May 23rd, the Nationals put right fielder Austin Kearns on the disabled list with Loose Bodies in his right arm. Since that time young Elijah Dukes has been given the starting position and with it has received a bid of confidence from manager Manny Acta. In the last eight games following the Kearns Injury Dukes is batting .333 (6/18), with an on base percentage of .500 (12/24) with five runs scored.
Last night Dukes produced in one of the hardest roles in baseball, as a pinch hitter and then a sub. In two plate appearances he reached base both times recording a walk and a single. Dukes reaching base allowed Willie Harris to hit the three run homer that put the Nats on top.
GUZMAN WATCH
Christian Guzmans box score looks pretty good, which is something we like seeing here at The Nats Blog. He went 3/5 with one run scored, drove in none and saw probably nine pitches. He has only one walk in his last 22 plate appearances.
4 comments:
I love that people are following along with the guzman watch. I've had to miss the last 3 games, and will miss tonight. Apparently, I'm akin to Zimmerman, who still sits. This could be really good for the kid, though. Give him some time to fully recap, and come off the bench with a bang.
I hope Zimmerman comes back with a bang. Gotta ask the great minds here: what does a right handed infielder need a left shoulder for?
I have bad memories of Glenn Davis hurting his shoulder muscle and ending his career.
The left shoulder is key for a right handed hitter. A sore shoulder could completely throw off ones swing, if not just take any power you have out of it.
lucky jarmes knows all about power
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