Espinosa Drives In Four In Nats Fish Fry
Espinosa's line... 3-2-3-4, 2B, HR, HBP
While perhaps misused on defense, there’s no denying the offense of Danny Espinosa, who reached base four times and drove in four runs in an 8-4 romp of the Nats over the Marlins this afternoon in Jupiter.
The 23-year-old singled, doubled, and smacked a two-run HR to raise his spring batting average to .455 and his RBI total to 10, while also turning a double play. He also scored two runs.
Prospects Bryce Harper and Chris Marrero each came off the bench to stroke RBI singles, the fourth and second of the spring respectively, while Steve Lombardozzi popped out in his lone at-bat, the second of the spring. Marrero handled all four defensive chances, while Lombardozzi had none.
Pitchers Ryan Mattheus, Josh Wilkie and Brad Peacock were in the bullpen, but none of them saw game action. Jason Marquis was the starter and threw four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out three.
With the win, the Nationals improve to 7-3 for the spring. The squads split tomorrow, with one team returning to Viera to host a split-squad Mets team in the other and another travelling to Kissimmee to visit Houston tomorrow night. There is no radio or TV for the Mets game, while the Astros game will be broadcast by the Houston affiliate KBME and can be accessed via MLB Gameday or XM Radio.
Love it. I just love how my optimism is not being dampened this spring. Our prospects look like real prospects and our team doesn’t suck. Not to say there aren’t many issues to resolve, but this is the most fun I have had following spring training since 2005.
In my fantasies, I am witnessing the development of the 2011, 2012 and 2013 NL Rookies of the Year (Espinosa, Harper and Norris). 🙂
Meanwhile Desmond’s fielding has not improved. I can see Espinosa at SS and the Nats trying someone else at 2B.
I think what’s most frustrating about Desmond is that his defensive tendencies have been this way for a very long time. I was sincerely hoping that this spring training that they would have a competition for the SS job. Now, it seems that perhaps the more likely occurrence is that Desmond is either traded or hits his way to the bench for that to happen. I’m just baffled as to why there’s been no overtures whatsoever about swapping the two in the infield.
Didn’t Espinosa play shortstop in one game this Spring? One would think that, if, they wanted to trade one or the other they would showcase both at shortstop. As it is we’ve seen Bixler their the most I think? I can’t think of one time that Hairston played there … we’ve now seen Cora there … Do you think Bixler has a chance to break with the 25-man and head north?
Nope – 7 games, 7 starts, all at 2B for Espinosa. I’d like to think that Bixler has a shot to make the roster with the way he’s been hitting, but he’s made two errors in eight games (5 at SS, 3 at 2B). I would think it’ll boil down to how the roster shakes out, as Hairston would have a leg up as a UT that can spell someone in the OF.
Looks more & more like Marrero is going to overcome his ‘Roberto Duran’ defense and force his way into the majors sooner if not later.