Catchers finally break out to lead Nats to first home series win
Keibert Ruiz took what Drew Millas did Wednesday night a step further today, going 3-for-4 with a homer and two doubles against the Twins
As much as they can tout their defensive improvement through the season’s first six weeks – and there has been legitimate improvement in that regard – the Nationals know it doesn’t mean a whole lot if their catchers can’t also produce at least a little bit of offense.
And the offensive production from Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas has been beyond minimal, which explains how they sport a combined bWAR of -0.6 despite above-average defensive metrics.
The Nats aren’t asking for that much out of either guy. But they are asking for something, anything, that might help the team score some more runs.
“I’ve told both of them: Being able to hit is such an added bonus,” manager Blake Butera said. “If we can get some offense from both of those guys, it just goes such a long way with the defense they provide behind the plate right now. Obviously, you see the help it gives us back-to-back days when they swing the bat like this.”
Yes, the narrative has changed just a bit over the last 24 hours. Because for the first time in a long time, the Nationals’ catchers did more than just catch. They both hit, and hit for power, in big spots to help the team win back-to-back games over the Twins and secure a long-awaited first victorious home series.
