Nats see no reason to worry

By Dave Utnik

Published: April 10, 2008

Ryan Zimmerman shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant manner that wasn’t meant to express indifference.

Washington’s budding superstar third baseman just wanted to make it clear that even after a six-game losing streak there is no reason to fret. No matter what their record is two weeks into the season, the Nationals are far better off than they were a year ago – in both talent and the ability to compete in the tough National League East.

“If you start to worry now you’re in trouble,” Zimmerman said. “It’d be different if we were making four errors a game and throwing games away. We’re going to get it together.

“We want to win of course. We’re upset when we lose, but it’s not like we’re playing bad baseball,” he said. “We just need a few things to go our way and win a couple in a row and we’re right back where we need to be.”

The euphoria that flowed through the oval clubhouse on opening night following Zimmerman’s walk-off home run against the Braves has subsided a bit. But there is still a vibrant vibe that suggests the early losing streak is an anomaly rather than a norm.

“There’s no need to panic here,” manager Manny Acta said. “We’re just going to keep working hard and continue to get better.”

With a glamorous new stadium and a revamped lineup that boasts more power and speed than any of the clubs that have taken the field since baseball returned to D.C. in 2005, the Nationals expect to win – at least often enough to finish above .500 for the first time.

Getting there might take longer than anyone originally anticipated, but progress is being made, especially in terms of player development. Still, the desire to win now at the major league level is sweeping through the city and the fan base is quickly growing restless while the Nationals wait for star players like Shawn Hill, Chad Cordero, Wily Mo Pena and Dmitri Young to return from injuries.

Acta insists the wins will come eventually. Like Zimmerman, everyone just needs to be patient.

“We’re still in a lot better shape than last year,” Acta said. “We have to look at the glass half full right now. We’re still ahead of last year’s record.”

CRUSIN’ GUZMAN
That Opening Day single off Tim Hudson was evidently a harbinger of things to come for Cristian Guzman.

After winning a spring training battle with Felipe Lopez for the starting shortstop position, Guzman began play Thursday with a .326 batting average and a team-leading six RBI.

Now the boos that used to follow him around RFK Stadium three years ago have morphed into a rousing serenade of “Guuuuuz” every time he comes to the plate. 

Guzman, who had Lasik eye surgery in 2005 and surgery on his right shoulder in 2006, had the first hit and scored the first run at Nationals Park on March 30. He currently leads the team with 14 hits and eight runs scored.

“He’s been playing real good for us since last year,” Acta said. “Hopefully he can continue to do it for us.”