WEDNESDAY | 08.06.2014 | EXPRESS | 13
sports
NATS VS. METS | 7:05 P.M. TODAY, MASN2
Span: A reliable source
verbatim
“A Redskin is a football player. A Redskin is our fans. The Washington Redskin fan base represents honor, represents respect, represents pride.”
DENARD SPAN HAS BEEN THE NATIONALS’ MOST CONSISTENT HITTER THE PAST MONTH. Over the
30 games leading up to Tuesday night’s series opener against the Mets, Span posted a batting average of .379, and he reached base in each of those games. But it’s not just his hot hitting streak that’s helped spark Washington’s offense. He’s balanced his patience at the plate with superb base running. “He’s amazing. Denard does what he does,” infielder Anthony Rendon said. “He’s an ideal leadoff guy.” Here’s how Span has gotten it done. JASON BUTT (FOR EXPRESS)
REDSKINS OWNER DAN SNYDER,
GREG FLUME (GETTY IMAGES)
when asked “What is a Redskin?” by ESPN reporter John Barr
Plate presence
Drawing walks
Stealing bases
As a leadoff man, Span isn’t looking to hit for power. He’s content hitting singles, so that his teammates in the middle of the lineup can drive him in. As a result, he’s struck out only 46 times before Tuesday, and just 15 times during his 30-game on-base streak. He said he’s been able to track the ball better from opposing pitchers lately, which helped him record 44 hits and five doubles during this stretch. “I try to barrel the ball and hope that I can get it away from somebody,” Span said.
Span had 39 walks entering Tuesday’s game — tied for secondmost among NL center fielders. This puts him on pace to walk 64 times in 2014 — 17 more than his total last season. He’s shown an ability to draw walks even when he’s gotten behind early in the count. Fifteen of Span’s walks this season came after he fell behind 0-1. “I just come here every day and study the pitchers we’re facing that day and try to get as prepared as I can,” he said.
Prior to Tuesday, the 30-year-old had stolen 23 bases this season, putting him on pace for a careerbest 34. Span has been more aggressive lately. He took five bases in the six games leading up to Tuesday. “It sets the table for the guys in the middle,” manager Matt Williams said. “Certainly it helps if he has the ability to steal second base to get in scoring position with nobody out in the top of the first. It just puts pressure on the other club.”
BASEBALL
Nationals land lefty reliever Thornton The Nationals claimed left-handed reliever Matt Thornton, left, off waivers from the Yankees and put catcher Wilson Ramos on the paternity list before Tuesday night’s game. To fill Ramos’ roster spot, the Nationals recalled catcher Sandy Leon from Triple-A Syracuse. The club also transferred righthander Taylor Jordan to the 60-day disabled list. The 37-year-old Thornton went 0-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 24⅔ innings across 46 appearances with the Yankees this season. Ramos and his wife are expecting their first child. (AP) The Indiana Pacers invite fans to sign a get-well banner for injured star Paul George, who broke his leg
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