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Washington Nationals Reaction: Revere Makes First Impact On Lineup

By Ricky Keeler

May 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Ben Revere (9) slides in safely with a triple as Chicago Cubs third baseman Tommy La Stella (2) takes the throw during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Ben Revere (9) slides in safely with a triple as Chicago Cubs third baseman Tommy La Stella (2) takes the throw during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Even in a loss yesterday, Washington Nationals’ center fielder Ben Revere picked up his first hit of the season

Despite the Washington Nationals losing yesterday’s game to the Chicago Cubs 8-5 and dropping the first three games in the series at Wrigley Field the team has to be pleased with the performance from Ben Revere. In his second start since coming back from the oblique injury, Revere went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple and two runs scored.

With Revere back in the lineup on a regular basis, he brings an instant upgrade to the leadoff spot in the lineup. So far this season, Washington Nationals’ leadoff hitters have the worst batting average in all of baseball (.184) and the lowest on-base percentage (.217). The .217 on-base percentage is 40 points lower than the second worst team (Colorado Rockies – .257).

While Taylor brought power to the leadoff spot (three home runs), he has a .086 batting average when leading off an inning. Yesterday, Revere saw 22 pitches in his five at-bats, which was the most of any player in the Nats’ lineup that was originally without Daniel Murphy (pinch-hit in the ninth).

After grounding out in his first at-bat vs. Jason Hammel, Revere hit a second pitch fastball to right field for his first hit as a Washington National to lead off the third. From there, Dusty Baker was able to implement some small ball by having Danny Espinosa bunt him over to third and Bryce Harper drive him in with a sacrifice fly.

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In the seventh inning, against the left-hander Travis Wood, Revere hit another fastball down the right field line for a leadoff triple. Even though it took Ryan Zimmerman beating out a double play to drive him in, the Nats were still able to drive in a run with runners in scoring position without getting a hit.

I was watching yesterday’s game on the FOX Sports 1 broadcast with Joe Buck and John Smoltz. The two of them were talking during the game about a conversation they had with Baker about what he thinks the team need to improve on. Baker replied hitting with runners in scoring position.

So far this season, the Washington Nationals are seventh in the National League in runs scored with men in scoring position (92) and in batting average (.272). If Revere can stay healthy, he is going to be on of the leaders in on-base percentage this year. Plus, it will give Harper and Zimmerman more opportunities to drive in runners.

Next: Recap: Bullpen Falters In 8-5 Loss To Cubs

If anything now, the Nats have a more experienced and productive hitter in their leadoff spot than Taylor. With the Nats facing the reigning NL Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta this afternoon (2:20 p.m ET, MASN2/MLB Network), runs will be at a premium. They will need a repeat performance from yesterday to have a chance at beating one of the best starter, if not the best starter, in the game now.

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