This is for Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez… Please keep Kyle Schwarber as the leadoff hitter!
Schwarber once again made a case for being a long-term option to bat at the top of the Nationals’ order. The slugging outfielder went 2-for-3 with a walk, home run and two RBIs Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was yet another impressive performance.
After lining out in his first at-bat, Schwarber got another chance to do damage in the third inning. Victor Robles flipped the order with a ground rule double to lead off the frame. After pitcher Jon Lester picked up the sacrifice to move Robles to third, Schwarber finished the job, hitting an RBI-single to right to score Robles.
The knock tied the game at 1-1. It also kept the train moving. The next batter Trea Turner singled. Schwarber was thrown out trying to get to third. However, Juan Soto picked him up with an RBI single to score Turner and give the Nationals a 2-1 lead.
Then in the seventh with the game tied at 2-2, Schwarber delivered a boom. He hit his 13th home run of the season, clobbering a curve ball over the right field wall for the go-ahead run.
The homer was Schwarber’s fourth in the last three days, all of which coming as the leadoff hitter. Monday’s blast proved to be the game-winner. The Nationals won 3-2 and once again Schwarber came through with a game-winning hit.
Playing in his fourth game at leadoff this season, Schwarber added to his case to stay. He is now 5-for-13 (.385 batting average) in the spot with four home runs and seven RBIs. He also has scored four runs.
He brings a pop at the top of the lineup that Washington has yearned for to bump Turner down to second in the lineup. Schwarber has a whopping 1.308 slugging percentage at leadoff. His ability to get on base sets up the plate for Turner and Soto behind him. Schwarber now has a .500 on-base percentage at leadoff.
It’s becoming apparent Schwarber is the leadoff hitter the Nationals never knew they needed. Hopefully, Martinez rides this wave until at least it calms down.
