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Energized Nats Enjoy a Rare Night On
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jason Bergmann delivers to the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
(Charles Dharapak - AP)
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"Those are the type of hitters that they are, and it's important they realize that and not try to play a big man's game," Acta said. "If you see guys like Pete Orr or González or Bonifacio try to be pull hitters, they're not doing the right thing."
Orr's single was the result of either well-timed luck or impressive managing by Acta. With injuries to Cristian Guzmán and Ryan Zimmerman, the Nationals had a thin bench. Acta's options for a bases-loaded pinch-hitting opportunity were Orr and catcher Wil Nieves. Orr had just seven hits and no RBI in 29 at-bats before the game.
Acta went with Orr, and it saved Bergmann from falling to nine losses.
Bergmann, who has suffered from a lack of run support this season, recovered from the second inning, which alone represented more earned runs than he has allowed since June 6.
Since his nearly month-long demotion to Class AAA Columbus earlier this season, Bergmann has been a reliable starter. Last night was the 10th time in 14 starts since the call-up that he pitched through the sixth inning, but he needed the offense to bail him out.
"I don't think, ever in my life, I've been so happy after a game I've given up six runs," he said. "This team showed me something today. They showed themselves something. They should be really happy."
The Nationals' bullpen -- Charlie Manning, Luis Ayala and Saúl Rivera -- allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings. Manning earned his first career win.
But the credit continued circulating back to the two players who entered the clubhouse for the first time on Friday and have not lost since arriving. And the catalyst, Bergmann insists, is their energy. For a team that had little to be excited about before they arrived, the Nationals are in a position for their first series sweep since June 13-15, when they swept Seattle. Even though it's just two games, it is more than they had to be excited about before the duo arrived.
"These two guys have brought some big-time level of energy, and just right now, by having a lot of guys like that, you just expect to have energy," Acta said. "And why not? These guys are the youngest team in the big leagues right now. We shouldn't be lacking any type of energy."
