Philly.com · Jun 12, 2017
Daniel Nava earns playing time at Michael Saunders' expense
Philadelphia Phillies' Daniel Nava runs the bases after hitting a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Rookie Davis in the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Cincinnati. The Reds won 7-4.BOSTON — Daniel Nava is something of a folk hero here, a former equipment manager on his college team who rose to the Red Sox and swung at the first pitch he ever saw in the majors — against the Phillies, a Joe Blanton fastball — to crush a grand slam. He celebrated the seven-year anniversary of his debut Monday by batting second and manning left field for the Phillies.
He could start each of the next three games, too.