A few hours earlier, Nick Senzel went 3-for-3 with a walk, two doubles and a two-run homer in the Nationals’ 7-3 win. Atlanta Braves Washington manager Davey Martinez said he’s very pleased with the progress the Washington third baseman is making hitting-wise.
Senzel entered Sunday’s game in good form, as highlighted in the Nationals’ game notes for the third of four games against their NL East rivals.
In his last 14 games, the 28-year-old Senzel has 12 hits in 41 at-bats (.293/.370/.390), four doubles, five runs and four walks for a .368 on-base percentage (15 hits, 13 walks) in his last 23 games.
“We’re trying to get him to throw strikes,” Martinez said of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft. Cincinnati Redssigned with the Nationals as a free agent this winter.
“We’re really working on it. [Hitting Coach] Darnell [Coles] And I know C.J. [Assistant Hitting Coach Chris Johnson] You tell him a lot about pitching the ball in the strike zone, waiting until you can hit the good ball, etc. He has really improved a lot. I’m glad you noticed.
Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
“It’s still a work in progress. Once he can go for walks I think other things will improve too.”
Senzel walked for the 22nd time this season in his final at-bat on Saturday, his 43rd game and 160th at-bat of the season. He walked 26 times in 104 games and 301 at-bats last season.
Martinez, in pregame comments, said it wasn’t that difficult to convince Senzel to go along with the Nationals’ plan.
“It’s not as hard as you think,” the manager explained.
“Especially with all the information we can get and show him — knowing which balls to hit, which balls to avoid. He’s got to believe in it, and he’s done that, and done really well.”
As Martinez got to know Senzel during their first season together, he began to really appreciate what the sixth-year veteran brings to the table.
“He’s very quiet, very [matter of fact]”But I know he loves to play baseball,” Martinez said, “and he really does. And he’s getting better and better. I know he’s been working hard on batting practice.”
“He wants to get better, but we feel he has the potential to be really good.”
Senzel pitched really well on Saturday, hitting a double as leadoff hitter in the second inning to drive in a run, followed by an RBI double in the fourth inning, a two-run homer in the sixth inning and a walk in his final at-bat.
“He’s coming back fast and every at-bat has been really good,” the manager said. “He’s coming back, he’s got his feet moving, he’s got length in his swing. So today, his last at-bat, I just said, ‘Hey, throw the ball high to this guy,’ and he hit a home run, came back and said, ‘Yeah, I threw the ball high.'”
“He’s been good. Really good,” Martinez added. “He’s getting better. We’ve been working on his pitch selection and his hitting. He’s starting to swing at strikes and he’s doing well defensively.”
Senzel has struggled with injuries in recent years and earlier this season, but Martinez said he’s healthy now, and it shows.
“It’s part of the game but I feel he’s getting fitter, he’s starting to get better little by little,” the manager said.
“He’s had a lot of injuries and now he’s starting to get fitter, so he can do some of those things.
“His defense, his first step on defense, is a lot better now because his feet are a lot better.”
“And I think the key is just to keep him in shape, keep him healthy and hopefully he continues to hit the ball like he did today.”
“I want to thank this staff and the Nationals for giving me the opportunity to play every day,” Senzel said after the big game. Quote from MASN’s Mark Zuckerman.
“I think the more I play the more I’m going to get into a good rhythm. I’m just comfortable going out on the field and getting into a rhythm and doing my job and playing.”
