NewsHarris growing into role with Nationals
Washington (55-103) at Atlanta (86-72), 7 p.m. ET
By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
09/30/09 11:05 PM ET
WASHINGTON -- Willie Harris has been playing almost every day since center fielder Nyjer Morgan broke his left hand on Aug. 27 against the Cubs.While his batting average isn't where he wants it to be (.231), Harris is getting on base. Entering Thursday's action against the Braves, Harris has a .361 on-base percentage.
He acknowledged, however, that he needs to get better hitting fastballs on the outside part of the plate.
"I'm hitting around .230, but I think for what I do, my on-base percentage is pretty good," Harris said. "I like to get more hits, but for me, if I walk, it's like getting a hit for me. The only difference is your batting average doesn't go up.
"I have to work on that fastball away this winter and get better at that again like I was last year and the previous year. That's the only pitch I've had problems with."
Although Harris' favorite position is second base, it's pretty clear he will play all three outfield positions as long as he is a member of the Nationals. After Morgan and Justin Maxwell, Harris is the best defensive outfielder on the team.
"If that's going to keep you around, you better work at it," Harris said. "The outfield is like staying at a hotel. With second base, I feel right at home. I came through the Minor Leagues that way. Whatever the team needs me for, I'm ready to do it. I know my role. I'm not going to complain about playing time."
Pitching matchupWSH: RHP Garrett Mock (3-10, 5.91 ERA)
Mock continued to struggle on the mound on Saturday, giving up six runs (four earned) over five innings in an 11-5 loss to the Braves. It didn't help that he had shaky defense behind him. Mock didn't harp on that, though. In fact, Mock said the turning point of the game was when he missed fielding a single hit by Chipper Jones, which put runners on first and second in the first inning. Had he fielded the ball, Mock believed the team could have turned a double play. ATL: RHP Tommy Hanson (11-4, 2.98 ERA)
Hanson will be making the final start of his stellar rookie season and attempting to win at home for the first time since Aug. 22. The 23-year-old right-hander has allowed four earned runs during his past two starts. In Saturday's outing against the Nationals, he was perfect during five of the seven innings that he completed and was primarily damaged by a three-run fifth-inning homer. His improved control has been evidenced through the fact that he has worked at least seven innings in three starts this month and thrown fewer than 100 pitches in each of those outings. Tidbits
Since 2005, the Nationals are 17-13 against the Mets during the month of September. ... Ryan Zimmerman has 106 RBIs for the season. ... With their victory on Wednesday, the Nationals have four sweeps this season. ... Mets right-hander Tim Redding was 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA against the Nationals this season. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• MASN 2, MLBN On radio
• WFED 1500, SBN 1390 (Español), ESPN 730 (Sp.) Up next
• Friday: Nationals (Livan Hernandez, 8-12, 5.48) at Braves (Derek Lowe, 15-9, 4.55), 7:30 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Nationals (TBD) at Braves (Jair Jurrjens, 14-10, 2.61), 4:10 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Nationals (J.D. Martin, 5-4, 4.69) at Braves (Tim Hudson, 2-1, 4.08), 1:30 p.m. ET
Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
