Nationals center fielder Lastings Milledge hesitated for just a moment as the line drive came his way.
That was all it took. Milledge started to the left and began backpedaling. Too late, he twisted to the right and the ball sailed just out of reach for a double in the seventh inning of Tuesday’s 6-5 loss to Houston.
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It was a critical play. The batter, Lance Berkman, would soon score the game-tying run on a balk. And while not ruled an error, the miscue is another example of the 23-year-old Milledge’s adjustment to full-time duty in center field.
“I’ve been working hard out here ever since the beginning of the season with [first base/outfield coach] Jerry [Morales],” Milledge said after a game against the Atlanta Braves last week. “It’s just been non-stop working, getting jumps.”
Milledge has just one official error in 32 games in center field so far. But while catching the balls he reaches, judging fly balls and taking good routes to make those plays has been an adventure at times. Prior to this season, Milledge had played center field in just 14 of his 103 major-league games.
“I still have a lot of work to do and a lot of improvement,” Milledge said. “But at least I’m playing every day and at least I can get those reps to get better.”
