By Steve Yanda
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 14, 2007

BALTIMORE, June 13 -- Second baseman Felipe Lopez insisted nothing had changed in his approach since being dropped from first to second in the Washington Nationals' batting order. After Lopez hit a three-run, game-winning triple in the 11th inning Wednesday night, his team might beg to differ.

Lopez went 1 for 6 but made solid contact in each at-bat and did not strike out.

Stuck in a 2-for-37 rut heading into Tuesday night's game, Lopez was moved by Manager Manny Acta from first to second in the order. Lopez responded with a 1-for-2 performance, including two RBI and a run. Shortstop Cristian Guzman was bumped up into the leadoff spot.

"I hope that helped him," Acta said. "The fact is, he's hitting behind someone who's hot. And also he's hitting in front of our third hitter, which will give him more pitches to hit. Regardless of where you hit, you still have to have the right approach. I think he had it last night, but it's just one game, so we'll see where that takes him."

While the move to No. 2 paid immediate dividends, Lopez said the approach is still the same. "It's just something new, something different," he said.

But not all that different. Lopez said he has batted second in the order his entire career with the exception of this season.

"He's always been a good second hitter," hitting coach Lenny Harris said. "He's always been a good leadoff hitter. He's just fighting it a little bit right now. Manny put him in the second hole so he could relax a little bit and see some pitches."

Lopez is batting .232, a number Harris and the rest of the coaching staff thinks will improve in time.

"Sooner or later he will [be put back in the leadoff spot]," Harris said. "Right now, we have to do what's best for Lopez, so hopefully he can be consistent in that second hole and move runners over, which he's capable of doing."

For three of the past four games, Dmitri Young has filled the designated hitter role, and no, he's not too thrilled about it. "Not really. It's cool for a couple of days if you've got some ailments, but as an everyday thing, it's kind of rough."

The time away from first base has allowed Young to rest a sore Achilles' tendon.

The Nationals agreed to terms Wednesday with seven of their 2007 draft picks, including right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, a second-round pick. The team has signed 22 of its 53 selections.