Going into Saturday’s game against the San Francisco Giants in Oracle Park, Josh Bell, 29, and headed for free agency next winter unless he and the Washington Nationals agree on an extension before the end of the 2022 campaign, had hit safely in 16 of the 21 games he played in this season, and put up a .357/.458/.514 line with five doubles, two home runs, and 12 walks vs 9 Ks 85 plate appearances into his second season in D.C.
Bell went 4 for 6 with a double in the Nats’ 14-4 win over the Giants in series opener, and his manager, Davey Martinez, talked before Saturday’s game about he thought was behind their switch-hitting first baseman starting so strong this season.