Nats Notes: Corner Infielders Get Hot

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THE NATIONALS' CORNERS are hot.

While this Washington team won't be known for its power, the heart of the order — third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and first baseman Dmitri Young — has put up strong numbers of late.

Young is showing why Washington took a chance on him in the offseason. The first baseman had a blistering .536 average (19 for 36) over his last 10 games entering the series with the Pirates. That includes four extra-base hits and nine RBIs.

The Nationals acquired Young in the offseason to fill in for first baseman Nick Johnson, who's missed the entire season so far with a broken right leg. Though Young is a defensive liability, Washington should have the luxury of a problem finding room for both players' bats in the lineup when Johnson eventually returns — as long as they don't trade Young first.

"We all know [Young's] asset is his bat," manager Manny Acta said. "In the American League, all he did was DH for the most part. We can't expect him to turn into a Gold Glove overnight."

Zimmerman — who many feel has Gold Glove potential right now — may be coming around after some early struggles at the plate. The third baseman had collected six hits — including two homers — in his last four games entering Tuesday.

While he was only batting .250 on the year, Zimmerman led the team in home runs (eight), RBIs (30) and hits (58) entering the Pirates series.

» ON THE MEND: General Manager Jim Bowden expects Acta to have another lineup dilemma when outfielder Alex Escobar gets back to the majors.

If all goes well, Escobar — who is recovering from a right shoulder separation he suffered last August — could return to the club by the end of the month.

Escobar was impressive at the plate last season, hitting .356 with four home runs and 18 RBIs in just 87 at bats.

» NEW BLOOD: The rebuilding Nationals have five of the first 70 picks — including the sixth overall — in Thursday's amateur draft. Last year's top selection, Chris Marrero, is looking like a wise choice. The 18-year-old outfielder was hitting .305 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs through Monday's action at Single-A Hagerstown.

Written by Express contributor Eric Brandner
Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post