Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Good

Ian Desmond overall had a good game. He went 1 for 2 with a walk, stole a base, and scored a run. He also made two excellent plays in the field. One of the plays was on a ball deflected off Gio’s glove back behind the second base bag. Desmond bare handed the ball and threw a strike to get the runner at first. Definitely a highlight reel fielding play.

Bryce Harper hit a solo home run, his 31st of the year. Michael Taylor also hit a solo home run, another tape measure bomb into the red porch seats. Taylor almost hit another home run in the fifth inning. He hit the ball to the deepest part of center field, but it was caught at the fence.

Turner did not appear to be overwhelmed in the field in his debut. He turned a double play with Ryan Braun bearing down on him at second. He did not look overmatched at the plate. He made contact with the ball in both of his at bats. When Turner was promoted up the minor league ladder, he did not hit well in his first handful of games at the new level, and then turned into a hit machine. No one should panic if he follows the same pattern in this new promotion to the Majors. His speed means that he will be getting a lot of infield hits. He is potentially a lead off hitter with his speed and ability to make contact.

Next: The Bad