Nats 4, Diamondbacks 2
The Nats are back in the win column, snapping a five-game losing streak thanks in large part to a third straight quality start by pitcher John Lannan. Read all about his impressive return after 40 days at Double-A Harrisburg here. Ryan Zimmerman was 2-for-3 with a walk and a two-run single, Wil Nieves homered – I swear that actually happened – and Ian Desmond was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Alberto Gonzalez batted leadoff and had too hits, as well.
Recommended Stories
Lost in the shuffle was the performance of reliever Sean Burnett, who pitched two shutout innings to earn his second save of the year, struck out the side in the eighth inning and four Diamondbacks hitters overall. That lowered his ERA to 2.72. Ironically, that number has come despite the left-hander struggling to get left-handed hitters out this season. Because that’s a huge part of Burnett’s job that’s a bit of a problem. Left-handed batters entered the night hitting an even .300 off him. Yet Burnett is so good against right-handed batters – a .169 batting average against – that he has still excelled. But it was also taking away one of the advantages of having a left-hander like Burnett in the bullpen.
“Trying to be a lefty set-up guy or knowing I’m supposed to get lefties out when I come in and not being able to do that I let it get into my head,” Burnett said. “When I’m thinking I’m in trouble. So I just said ‘Go out there and let the athletic ability take over.’”
Burnett has been better lately. A talk with left-handed teammates Adam Dunn and Adam Kennedy helped. They told Burnett to use his sinker more against fellow lefty batters. Why?
“Because it’s that much harder to hit,” Burnett said. “It’s not easy to do when you’ve never done it your whole life. But the last few weeks I’ve been trying. It seems like it’s starting to click.”
Credit Nieves, too. The Nats’ back-up catcher was 2-for-4 with a single and just his second homer of the season. It happened with his wife, Yormari, at Nationals Park for the first time in three months. She is pregnant with the couple’s first child due on Aug. 21 and has been on bed rest for three months. Nats starting catcher Ivan Rodriguez congragulated Nieves after the homer. He then endured a steady silent treatment from the rest of his teammates.
“The guys make fun of me, but I tell them I have occasional power,” Nieves insisted with a smile. “In the minor leagues I hit some balls that they surprise me. I just don’t have that Adam Dunn swing, the home run swing. I’m a line drive hitter. But I can hit it pretty fat once in a while.”
It was a rare explosive night at the plate for Nieves, who is still batting just .190 with an OPS of .500. He’s been one of the worst offensive players in all of Major League Baseball and knows it. But Nieves might also possess the most optimistic attitude on the team. During batting practice sessions with hitting coach Rick Eckstein lately, Nieves has taken to yelling out “Don’t give up on me” while he swings.
“I know I can be better than what I’ve been doing,” Nieves said.
Maybe he’s actually building some momentum after doubling on Sunday against the Dodgers.
Follow me on Twitter @bmcnally14
