MLB Team Report - Washington Nationals - INSIDE PITCH
When the Nationals were moving toward the trade deadline this July, the top item on their shopping list was a center fielder, preferably one who also could solve their glaring need at the top of the lineup.
That position remains unsettled heading into 2012, but when asked about it on Friday, manager Davey Johnson sounded as if he didn't think the need was as dire as the Nationals' summer pursuits might have suggested.While Johnson said the Nationals could use more depth in their outfield, he didn't say the team had to have a center fielder and said the team might be able to solve its outfield-depth questions internally as well.
Jayson Werth has been playing center field this month, and Michael Morse is likely to be in left field next year. If Bryce Harper eventually comes to the majors, he's likely to be in right field. So even if the Nationals were to pursue a leadoff hitter, they might not have space for that player to be a center fielder.
The only scenario in which the Nationals would have room in their outfield long term is if Morse ends up back at first base, where he played much of this year. But even then, either Werth would have to play center field or he or Harper would have to go to left.
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MLB Team Report - Washington Nationals - NOTES, QUOTES
--RHP Stephen Strasburg made his fourth start after Tommy John surgery on Friday night, allowing three runs (two earned) in four innings. Strasburg struggled in the first inning, needing 38 pitches, but retired 10 of the next 11 batters he faced in only 37 pitches. He will make his final start of the season in the Nationals' last game, Wednesday at Florida.
--1B Chris Marrero was out of the lineup, replaced by Laynce Nix, but came in for Nix during the fifth inning. Manager Davey Johnson wanted to start Nix, who had a .979 career OPS against Tim Hudson, but get Marrero in the game in time to get him at-bats.
--2B Danny Espinosa continued to bring his numbers up with a 2-for-3 night on Friday, doubling and scoring a run in the Nationals' loss to the Braves. In his last 10 games, Espinosa is 13-for-37 with two homers and four RBI. In the process, he has raised his average from .231 to .239.
--OF Jayson Werth hit his 20th homer of the year, ripping a solo shot against the Braves' Johnny Venters in the eighth inning of the Nationals' loss. Werth has hit four homers this month, though his home run on Friday was his first since Sept. 8. He reached 20 homers for the fourth consecutive season.
--C Wilson Ramos went 2-for-4, driving in two runs to continue his recent tear at the plate. Ramos has driven in eight runs in his last 10 games. In the process, he has nudged his average back to .269, finishing an impressive first full season in the majors.
BY THE NUMBERS: 1-6-5-4-3 -- The scoring of a botched rundown in the ninth inning of the Nationals' loss to the Braves on Friday. Henry Rodriguez fielded a tapper to the mound, got Michael Bourn in a rundown, but once Ryan Zimmerman dropped a throw with Bourn and Chipper Jones both going to second, the Nationals tried to get Jones at first. They did, but with no one covering home, Bourn scored on the play.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I was just trying to slow down. I've been there before. I've given up runs in the first inning before. It's nothing new. The game's about making adjustments, and I'm happy I was able to do that the next three innings. Unfortunately, with the pitch count that I have, I wasn't able to go out there and make it a quality start." -- Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg, on his four-inning loss to the Braves on Friday night. Strasburg gave up three runs, two of them earned, after throwing 38 pitches in the first inning.
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MLB Team Report - Washington Nationals - ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--OF Jayson Werth (right elbow contusion) left the second game of the Sept. 20 doubleheader, and he didn't play Sept. 21-22. He is day-to-day.
