Nats Notes: Watson Won't Miss Many Chances

BRANDON WATSON just won't give up.

The Triple-A Columbus outfielder extended his minor league-best 39-game hitting streak Tuesday against Syracuse. It's the longest such streak in the Minors since 1961.

"It's terrific. I just found out today that it's only [three] games from tying the record, and that league has been going forever," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "It takes a lot of things going right for you to get a hit in [39] games in a row."

The Nationals' Opening Day center fielder last season, Watson struggled with a bruised knee and went 5-for-28 before being sent down. It was the last of his three short stints with the club.

Watson joined Detroit in the offseason but was released during spring training. He was invited to rejoin the Nationals' farm system shortly thereafter.

"I think sometimes when people get released, they put it in a different gear to get another opportunity," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said recently. "He's got a great hit streak going on down there, and I'm rooting for him. He's a great kid."

The 25-year-old's streak is the longest in Columbus history and is tied for the 12th-longest in minor league history. Rochester's Jack Lelivelt set the International League record with a 42-game hitting streak in 1912. Joe Wilhoit holds the overall minor league record, hitting safely in 69 straight games for Wichita in 1919.

"[Watson is] a good kid, and he's working hard," Acta said. "You never know. We've seen a lot of kids sent down and then brought back over here."

» NOW BATTING FIRST: Shortstop Cristian Guzman was inserted in the leadoff position for Tuesday's game in a move Acta said was aimed at jump-starting second baseman Felipe Lopez. Guzman has been hot of late, while Lopez had just a .277 on-base percentage entering Tuesday's game.

"I need to get him going," Acta said. "He has been a little overaggressive at the plate, chasing pitches out of the zone. ... He's ready to recharge his batteries."

» ROAD TO RECOVERY: Starter John Patterson threw a simulated game Sunday, and starters Jason Bergmann and Jerome Williams are both scheduled to throw rehab starts Friday.

Meanwhile, reliever Luis Ayala threw two innings Saturday for Columbus. Acta has said Ayala — who didn't pitch last year after reconstructive right elbow surgery — will be ready to join the team once he's able to throw on back-to-back nights.

"I don't see him changing our whole bullpen, but it's nice to have a guy like him in there as an extra man," Acta said.

Written by Express contributor Eric Brandner
Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post