Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Nats Backups Taking Advantage Of Playing Time

Jul 4, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Tyler Moore (12) hits an RBI single against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. The Washington Nationals won 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Moore Gets His Chance To Shine

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about how Clint Robinson has shined when giving the chance to play in an everyday fashion. He has two home runs in his last five games. However, in yesterday’s win, Tyler Moore got the chance to show that he is able to help out an offense that had only scored ten runs in their last four games.

Moore got the start in left field because Michael Taylor was playing center field for Denard Span, who was getting the day off. While Moore would begin his day by striking out swinging against Madison Bumgarner in the second, he would redeem himself in the bottom of the fourth by working a seven pitch at-bat and hitting a 2-2 curveball into center field for a RBI double.

The scoring would not stop there. Two innings later, against Yusmeiro Petit, Moore delivered a second RBI double, this time to left field. He would end his day in the seventh inning by hitting a single to left to drive in his fourth run and finish the afternoon 3-for-4.

Despite earning a spot on the team in spring training, the 28-year-old first baseman/outfielder has not fared well in a pinch-hitting role this season (4-for-28, 1 HR, 3 RBI’s). However, guys like Moore and Robinson have shown that if given the opportunity to play, they can contribute to a team that is currently leading the NL East by 4.5 games. Plus, Moore did improve his batting average from .207 in May to .226 in June and that was in 24 more at-bats.

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