With the Nationals set to face Pirates’ right-hander (Luis Ortiz) last night in PNC Park, CJ Abrams moved back to the top of the lineup after hitting 6th and 7th in his previous five games as he tries to work his way out of a prolonged slump.
Abrams, (26 for 150, .173/.233/.267, five doubles, three home runs, eight walks, and 38 Ks over 39 games in the so-called second-half of the season), was just 2 for 26 (.077/.111/.077 line in his last seven games) going into the second of four in Pittsburgh, and his manager, Davey Martinez, said it was a good opportunity to let his shortstop see some fastballs.