Runs are a premium for the Washington Nationals. The Nationals average a mere 3.74 runs per game which is the second-lowest in MLB. In Saturday’s doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants, the Nationals scored a total of three runs.
Thus it was understandable in one aspect why Victor Robles chose to be overaggressive tagging to take second base on a fly ball in the eighth inning of a one-run game. Contrarily, it was understandable why Nationals manager Dave Martinez would be upset of Robles’ ill-advised decision.
During the nightcap of the two games with Nationals trailing the Giants 2-1 in eighth-inning of a seven-inning game, Robles opted to tag from first to go to second on a fly ball to center by Josh Bell. Robles slid off the bag and into no man’s land between second and third.
Robles was tagged out. His decision was unwarranted with Starlin Castro, representing the extra innings baserunner, tagging from second to third on the play.
The Nationals should have had runners on first and third with one out and Trea Turner and Juan Soto due up. That would have allowed a fly ball to score Castro for the game-tying run. Instead, Turner came up with a runner on third needing a hit to extend the game. Turner popped out at second to end the game.
Following the 2-1 loss, Robles said he understood he was the game-winning run and wanted to get in position for Turner or Soto to hit him and Castro in.
However, Martinez didn’t see it the same way as Robles.
“Honestly, I thought it was poor,” Martinez said per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports. “Not a very smart decision.”
Martinez added Robles was clearly trying to do something to help the team. But it’s been that way all season, players trying to overcompensate for their lack of offense.
Robles, who was once highly-touted coming into the majors, has continued to struggle offensively. Known for his gold-caliber glove at center field, Robles is hitting just .226/.339/.308 this season.
Washington has longed for him to assume the lead-off spot in the batting order. However, he’s unreliable at the plate, forcing Martinez to plug his best two hitters, Turner and Soto, at the top of the order. Last week, Martinez essentially said Robles inability to bat lead-off is holding up the offense.
Now, the 24-year old’s struggles aren’t the lone issues with the Nationals’ struggling offense. But, his maturation is preventing the team from a strong top of the order with Turner and Soto batting at more natural spots like third and cleanup.
Add in the multiple base-running gaffes this season by Robles. In April, Martinez said he would speak to Robles about being smarter running the bases after an April 9 blunder against the Dodgers. Maybe it’s time for the Nationals skipper to send a louder message to the youngster?
