Frank Robinson’s surprising lineup changes paid off nicely yesterday for the Washington Nationals.
Robinson started three-time All-Star second baseman Jose Vidro at first base in place of Nick Johnson to keep rookie second baseman Bernie Castro in the lineup and because the Nationals were facing a left-hander in Milwaukee starter Doug Davis.
Vidro wasn’t tested in his first start at the position since May 29, 1999. He borrowed utilityman Robert Fick’s first baseman’s glove but didn’t take infield practice before the game. Ultimately, Johnson replaced Vidro in the seventh inning.
“I told Nick before the game, ’You’re going to be the closer for me at first base, so be ready.’” Vidro said.
Said Fick: “I’m proud to be part of history — not many guys on a last-place team on back-to-back nights get to be part of history. We witnessed history with [Alfonso] Soriano’s 40-40 and then the smallest first baseman in history.”
The 5-foot-11 Vidro played 14 games (seven starts) at first for the Montreal Expos in 1999 and committed two errors in 66 total chances.
“I didn’t notice him,” Robinson said. “If you don’t notice somebody out there, then they’ve done a good job.”
First start
Right-hander Beltran Perez will make his first major league start tomorrow night against the Atlanta Braves at RFK Stadium.
In five appearances out of the Nationals’ bullpen this season, Perez has allowed just one run in 52/3 innings. The Nationals recalled Perez from Class AA Harrisburg when rosters expanded in September. Perez (0-0, 1.59 ERA) was the only player the Nationals called up from Class AA.
Robinson said before yesterday’s game that he doesn’t anticipate starting the 24-year-old again in the final two weeks of the season.
“I’ve been a starting pitcher all my career,” said Perez, who was 8-6 with a 3.11 ERA in 16 starts this season with Harrisburg. “What I like most is starting.”
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