Washington Nationals’ offence improves as Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse return to form-MLB Update
Struggling earlier in the season, the Washington Nationals have started witnessing diversified contribution from the offence. While at the start it was volatile and only occasional hits came forth, now the middle of the line-up is stepping up consistently.
Ryan Zimmerman, who reached the lowest ebb of his poor form after returning from shoulder inflammation, has now achieved a level where he has become a lynchpin of the offence.
Similarly, Michael Morse took time before finding his feet on the plate and began striking hits on a regular basis.
With injured players featuring in the line-up now, the Nationals are able to achieve what they failed throughout the season.
Although, they remained at the top position on the table, being taken over occasionally apart, it was more due to their pitchers than hitters.
Hurlers like Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez kept them in contention from day one. The extent of their effectiveness was such that in some games their offence fared poor and yet they went on winning.
However, this never made the management grow complacent. Search for rectifying issues with the offence was always being pursued.
Bryce Harper was brought to the Majors. Likewise, process of rehabilitation by Morse was expedited.
Finally, a stage has reached now where the Nationals can believe that their success owes as much to the offence as it does to the pitchers.
Talking about the injuries suffered earlier, manager Davey Johnson uttered that now the players are back and putting up their best.
"We had a couple of injuries to the middle of the lineup," Nationals’ manager Davey Johnson said. "[Zimmerman] didn't feel right until probably a week, ten days ago, and we didn't have Morse. So he's just now coming around and Desi's been doing the things
we all know he's capable of doing and the rest of the guys are doing their part too. We're doing the things I know we're capable of doing, which is fun to watch."
To sustain, Nationals will be guarding against complacency. Third-baseman Zimmerman, who has reached the pinnacle of his form now, cannot afford to slow down. Similarly, Morse will be converting the momentum into something substantial.
With the way things are going for the Nationals, one can predict that they are going to make it to the play-offs easily.
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