Game Recap: Nationals 5, Giants 2

Notes...

• Darren Ford didn't have a single plate appearance, yet managed to post a win probability added of -14.1%. That caught-stealing was costly, coming in the eighth inning of a one-run game.
• It's now May, and Aaron Rowand went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. I expect some serious regression from him in these coming weeks, as his .358 batting average on balls in play is still 40 points above his career norm. Once his luck on balls in play runs out, he'll go back to being a below-average hitter (like we saw today).
• The Giants have scored two or fewer runs in seven of their last ten games. And the fact that Pablo Sandoval just hit the DL shouldn't help.
• Brandon Belt is OPSing 1.356 in AAA right now, and added three hits and a walk today. I think we're nearing the point at which he should be called up. The Giants are third-worst in the majors in BB%, and that's precisely Belt's skill-set.

The way I see it, there are two reasons for keeping Darren Ford in the majors: backup outfielder and pinch runner. Emmanuel Burriss and Nate Schierholtz are both fine pinch-runners, and I'm of the belief that the Giants have three players on their roster that can play centerfield -- Cody Ross, Aaron Rowand, and Nate Schierholtz. I don't see why there's any reason to keep him up if Belt's ready. When Belt comes up, he can play a mix of first and left field.

And Andres Torres should be returning soon.

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