Twenty-four hours after Davey Martinez explained why he was keeping Victor Robles in the ninth spot in the batting order early this season, the Washington Nationals’ second-year skipper penciled the rookie outfielder in as the leadoff man in the series finale with the San Francisco Giants.
Granted, Adam Eaton, who led off in every one of the 16 games this season before Thursday afternoon, and put up a .319/.397/.406 in those appearances, was getting a day off, so Robles will likely return to the ninth spot next time out, but a segment of the fan base that has clamored for the 21-year-old to be moved out of the so-called “second leadoff spot” got what they wanted for at least one day.