Nationals get power from unlikely sources in series finale
Andrés Chaparro and Nasim Nuñez hit their first homers during Wednesday's win. Plus, the Nats made their first-ever trade with the Orioles.
BOSTON – The season is 54 percent complete, and the Nationals still have used only 15 position players, fewest in the majors. It’s a testament both to their good injury fortunes and their well-rounded offensive production that they haven’t needed to make more than a couple of roster changes in more than three months.
And it’s a reminder that the most productive lineup in baseball doesn’t just rely on its two biggest stars. Or even the next three or four top regulars.
Everybody has contributed in some way, and that’s not lost on the Nats.
“To see guys in the bottom of the order, or guys that aren’t starting every single night, come through for us and step up, that’s what it takes to be a winning ballclub and have success in this league,” manager Blake Butera said. “You need all 1 through 13 to be able to contribute. Hats off to our guys for doing so.”
Never was this more obvious than during Wednesday’s 10-2 thrashing of the Red Sox, a game that saw the Nationals score their first three runs off big blasts by two of the unlikeliest players on the team.
