District Daily: Nationals News 5/8
By Pablo Roa
May 7, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher
Wilson Ramos(40) drives in a run with a sacrifice fly against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports
Checkout some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web:
Injury-prone Ramos glad to be back with Nationals
WASHINGTON — Even without context, this was a positive development for the Nationals. Catcher Wilson Ramos, making his first appearance since Opening Day, came off the disabled list Wednesday afternoon at Nationals Park. He had a double, walk and the decisive sacrifice fly in a 3-2 getaway day win over the Dodgers.
Widen the lens just a little and what this could mean for the team comes into even sharper focus.
Outfielder Scott Hairston, who missed 26 games with a left oblique strain, was activated Monday. Ramos returned Wednesday. Right-hander Doug Fister, the signature offseason acquisition, is scheduled to be activated and make his first start of the season in Oakland on Friday night.
The Nats are still without third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (fractured right thumb) and left fielderBryce Harper (torn ligament in left thumb), but there’s a tangible sense that this club is starting to come together.
“We’ve weathered the storm decently well here. I feel like we’re about to hit our stride,” said relieverJerry Blevins, who relieved starter Stephen Strasburg in the eighth and retired Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in a crucial situation. “We’re kind of coming into our own, trying to figure out who we are as a team and we’re just going to keep going from here.” Read full article here.
LaRoche slowed on field by strained quad
WASHINGTON — Adam LaRoche continues to hit, but his strained right quadriceps — an issue over the past couple of weeks — continues to hinder him in other areas of the game. That was clear in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Dodgers, as the Nationals first baseman went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs but appeared limited on the bases and in the field.
Manager Matt Williams suggested that the muscle has been “gradually getting better,” but LaRoche indicated that progress has not been steady. Read full article here.
Frandsen: Anthony Rendon By Far ‘Best Young Guy’ on Nationals
WASHINGTON (CBSDC) – Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon has emerged as one of the best young hitters in Major League Baseball, early this season, and teammate Kevin Frandsen calls him “the best young guy we have.” Even better than Bryce Harper.
Rendon, 23, has been on an absolute tear all season, hitting .292 with 10 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs and 23 RBI for an .846 OPS. He’s been even more impressive these last five games, though, in which he’s hitting .478 with 11 hits, 4 doubles, 1 home run and 5 RBI, equaling a sky-high 1.261 OPS.
Veteran teammate Kevin Frandsen, in his first season with the Nationals, was asked by the Sports Junkies on 106.7 The Fan on Wednesday, of all the players on the team, who’s impressed him the most.
“Rendon,” Frandsen said. “Without a doubt.” Read full article here.