NATIONALS NOTEBOOK
Peering Into Future, Team Sees Double(s)
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Monday, March 10, 2008
VIERA, Fla., March 9 -- The Washington Nationals already were running away with what became a 9-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday, and the regulars were heading for the showers. But in the seventh inning, up came two of the Nationals' best prospects -- teenagers invited to play with the major league club for a day. And Chris Marrero and Michael Burgess responded by delivering back-to-back doubles, providing a glimpse of why club officials are so excited about them.
"The future is bright here," Manager Manny Acta said.
Marrero, a 2006 first-round pick ranked as the Nationals' top prospect by Baseball America, played in one Grapefruit League game last spring.
"I was a little anxious," Marrero said, "but it felt good after everything happened."
Burgess, selected with the 49th pick in last year's draft, is ranked fourth. The Tampa native had perhaps 20 friends and family members on hand.
Shots From Both Sides
In 1,029 regular season games, Cristian Guzm¿n had never hit two home runs in a game. He did it in Sunday's exhibition -- a three-run shot to center off lefty Jeremy Sowers while batting right-handed and a solo shot to right off right-hander Rick Bauer from the left side.
"I feel great on both sides," said Guzm¿n, who is hitting .440 this spring. . . .
Veteran lefty Odalis P¿rez, still unable to throw in a Grapefruit League game because of visa problems in his native Dominican Republic, pitched in a minor league game Sunday for the second time. P¿rez threw 38 strikes on 60 pitches in 3 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and three runs, one earned.
P¿rez said it's possible he will be able to secure his visa by the middle of this week.
"I want to show what I got," P¿rez said. "I don't want to be wasting my time. I want to be able to pitch in the major leagues." . . .
In Winter Haven, outfielder Elijah Dukes was hit by a pitch on the fourth and fifth fingers of his left hand during the Nationals' 5-2 split-squad loss to Cleveland. A subsequent exam revealed only a bruise, and he should be available Monday. . . .
A sandhill crane landed on the field in the first inning at Space Coast Stadium and walked from behind second base to the Nationals' dugout, staring down bench coach Pat Corrales.
