Washington Nationals news & notes: Stone Garrett gets another opportunity; Victor Robles at the plate + more…

Stones Turn:

Stone Garrett started three times earlier this season and two in the Road Series at Coors Field, and the 27-year-old got off to a strong start, posting two doubles and a home run in 14 at-bats to finish 12-game. was 7. At bats were hard to come by as Alex Cole, Victor Robles, and Lane Thomas started most days for the Nationals.

On Sunday, Washington skipper Davey Martinez brought Garrett back there for the series finale with the Guardians of Cleveland.

“this man [Guardians’ starter Shane Bieber] He throws a lot of off-speed stuff and keeps the ball off the plate. So I thought it would be a good game,” the manager said of his decision to start Garrett when he told reporters before the game.

Photo by Scott Tetch/Getty Images

“Alex plays every day, so Cole, give him a day. [Garrett] there. Like I said before, I wanted to take him there. I hope today is a good day. ”

Martinez said he would love to see Garrett go out and do the same when he had the chance to play in his first few weeks.

“I just got up and saw the ball and made a good swing,” he said.

“He did it the day I played with him. Hey, a walk is good for him too, so don’t overdo it.”

In his time off playing, Martinez got to know Garrett better and watched the veteran prepare for every opportunity as he entered his second big league season.

“He’s a game student,” Martinez said. “He’s watching everything, but around the fifth or sixth inning, pinch hitter, pinch runner, he’s ready for whatever he needs to do, but he’s paying attention to the following things.” what happened. And like I said, he’s fine. He gets the job done and works hard. These other guys, Alex is doing great at the top and Lane is getting his hits, but I’ll find a way to get you there.

Cole has also been in a 1-17 mini-slump over the past four games, so it makes sense to give him a day as well.

“I think he’s a little withdrawn,” Martinez said in assessing Cole’s recent struggles.

“He has to stay on the ball. But like I said, after yesterday, I thought he needed a day.

Garrett capitalized on his chances again, scoring a double and two runs to make it 2 for 4. He scored on a double in the second inning, singled on a sack fly to score in the bottom of the eighth, and tied the game 6–6 in a close at bat, but was reversed in favor of the Nationals in the review. won by a run in the series finale in the nation’s capital.

“He played really well,” Martinez said of Garrett’s big game on Sunday.

“It was a close play, but we weren’t going to challenge the whole play. It was very close,” Martinez said. [Third Base coach] Gary [DiSarcina] You did a great job sending him out, Stone did a great jump, ran hard and bang bang. They called correctly. ”

Garrett also had to show off his speed. This is another tool he brings to the bench or lineup depending on how it’s used.

“He can run a little bit,” Martinez said.

“I saw him in spring training.

As for how he decides who will play in Tuesday’s opener against the rival Orioles?

“I have a lot of homework to do…tomorrow,” Martinez joked.

“Tonight we will have dinner and a glass of wine and relax a little.”

Recent Robles:

Victor Robles entered Sunday’s finale against the Guardians at Nationals Park with something of a minor slump of his own, going 25-for-14 from the start of the 2023 campaign, with 4 in front. I went 0-14 in 4K in the match. year old outfielder.

“He’s just a little bit happier,” Martinez said before the game. “We have to get him back. He’s rolling a little bit. We have to put him back in the middle of the field.”

Acknowledging Robles’ recent slump, the manager said the DC center fielder is happy with the start of the season. team.

“He was great,” Martinez said.

“He’s been that way since the first day of spring training. From the time we had our first conversation in spring training, he had a plan. And he stuck to that plan, and he’s done it really well.” That’s why we see his success.A lot of this is getting to know yourself as a player and knowing what you want to be.A lot of the things we talked to him about before he went. i think i had in mind [home] this winter. And this is the player I thought he could be. A player who hits base, a player who plays good defense, and a player who doesn’t try too hard. I’ve seen the ball come off the bat when he squares it, but don’t try to be that home run guy.In 19, he didn’t try to hit a home run. said, “It will happen.”

“Most of the time they throw him middle away. ‘You have to make him stay on the ball and hit it in the opposite direction.’ That’s when he’s really good.”

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