Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Nats Unable To Dig Out Of Early Hole Vs. Padres

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Upton Continues To Be Thorn In Nats’ Side

When you think about hitters that have been “Nats killers” over the years, two of the names you would think of would be the Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton and the Braves’ Freddie Freeman. One name you have throw on the list now with those players is Padres’ right fielder Justin Upton.

Upton, who is in the final year of his contract with San Diego, has been able to hit Nats’ pitching all season and last night was no different. In the third inning, Upton swung at a 93 mile per hour fastball and hit it into the left field bullpen for a two-run homer.

Then, in the seventh, against reliever Doug Fister, Upton got ahead in the count, 3-1, and eventually hit a solo shot to center field in what would end up being the deciding run. Fister did pitch well in relief of Gonzalez, but his one mistake ended up being the difference.

San Diego has not been a good offensive team, but as we mentioned when the series began, Upton and Matt Kemp are the two main players to watch on this team. If you make mistakes against those two players they will make you pay.

Upton, who went 2-for-4 with the two home runs last night, is now hitting .381 (8-for-21) against the Nats this season with four  home runs and six RBI’s. If you are Joe Ross tonight, you have to pitch around Upton and let Jedd Gyorko, who is hitting .240 this season, be the one that gets the big hit instead.

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