The Washington Nationals came back twice Sunday to salvage one game of their three-game series in Arizona. A key blow was RYAN CHURCH's ninth home run, a two-run shot in the eighth inning that MLB.com's Bill Ladson says could have been his biggest hit of the year. Why? Because Church hit it off a lefty and there are decision-makers in Washington who would like to make Churchie a platoon player: against righties only.
"Left-hander Doug Slaten entered the game for Arizona and gave up a two-run homer to Church to tie the score at 5," wrote Ladson. "Church knew it was gone the moment he hit it as he stood and watched it go over the right field fence.
"For Church, it was arguably his biggest hit in a Nationals uniform. All year, he had problems hitting lefties. He was hitting .222 with no home runs this season against southpaws.
"'In that situation, I was able to get in a good hitter's count -- 3-1 -- got a fastball and did something with it,' Church said. 'Coming up through the Minor Leagues, I have always been able to hit lefties. It's just one of those things where you want to get in there on an everyday basis and see them at-bat after at-bat.
"'These guys that come out of the bullpen -- those lefty specialist -- they are dirty and they are supposed to do one job and that's to get you out with that nasty stuff up there. I hope it carries over the next time I face another lefty out of the bullpen.'"
Church went 2-for-4 to lift his batting average to .262. The Nats are idle Monday. They arrive in Los Angeles August 27.
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