Washington Nationals: Trea Turner enhances All-Star case
By Blake Finney
After a miserable series north of the border, the Washington Nationals bounced back in a big way. Trea Turner led the charge against the Baltimore Orioles.
Oh boy did the Washington Nationals need a performance like this one. The offense broke out for nine runs on 14 hits, with Trea Turner collecting four of them.
The shortstop was dropped to sixth in the order, with the hope of taking some pressure off of him. And it certainly worked. He went 4 for 4 on the night with a pair of runs.
He also dazzled with the glove again, making an impressive play deep in the hole in the eighth inning. It’s fair to wonder whether he’s doing enough to get the nod in the All-Star game.
More from District on Deck
- Washington Nationals: Is Seth Lugo Still an Option?
- Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB
- Washington Nationals Re-Sign RHP Erasmo Ramirez
- Washington Nationals Sign RHP Trevor Williams
- Washington Nationals find Success in First Draft Lottery
His primary competition at the position is likely to come from Brandon Crawford, who he narrowly trailed in WAR entering Tuesday’s game. But Turner will also have to overtake Dansby Swanson and Addison Russell in the All-Star voting to be the starter at SS.
He certainly deserves the nod, even as a bench player with a .267 average to go with eight homers and 20 stolen bases. He’s one of the most dynamic power-speed threats in the league and should be recognized as such with an All-Star nod.
Nats show off new 8-9 combo
When the Nationals acquired Kelvin Herrera on Monday night, they had exactly the situation that arose Monday in mind. He came in and pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and then Sean Doolittle worked around a homer to record the save.
They Nats taking the lead in the bottom of the seventh allowed them to use their shiny new acquisition in a hold situation. Just how they drew it up.
Herrera is going to be a big addition to a bullpen that needed another true lockdown arm at the backend. Paired with Doolittle, they are arguably the best combination in the National League and will be a force to reckoned with moving forward.
Adam Eaton at full health
Once again atop the Nats batting order, Adam Eaton had an excellent day at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a couple of RBIs. But there was one play that stood out in particular.
To lead off the bottom of the seventh inning, with the Nats down 6-5, Eaton laid down a perfect bunt base hit. But in hustling out the hit, he was running at full tilt and for the first time since last April, looked fully healthy.
If he can stay on the field for the rest of the season, he’s going to be an invaluable piece to this team. And with a bit of luck, he’ll help provide some consistency setting the table for the big hitters.
Next: Herrera will be a huge acquisition
The Washington Nationals will hope to keep up their perfect record against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. It’s Gio Gonzalez facing off against Andrew Cashner in the fifth beltway battle of the year.