Williams looks for spark from Escobar in leadoff spot (with roster move and lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

April 14, 2015, 10:37am

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BOSTON - Nationals manager Matt Williams has shaken up the lineup for the first time this year.

Third baseman Yunel Escobar brings his team-leading eight hits and .367 OBP to the leadoff spot. Center fielder Michael A. Taylor, the team's leadoff hitter for the first seven games, has six strikeouts the last two days and 11 in just 29 at-bats this season. Williams dropped Taylor to the bottom of the order.

Left fielder Jayson Werth moves into the two spot after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout while batting cleanup in his season debut yesterday.

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg makes his second start of the season tonight. It went south quick for Strasburg in a loss against the Mets last Thursday when an error from shortstop Ian Desmond led to three runs. Strasburg lasted just 5 1/3 innings while allowing six runs overall on nine hits.

Roster move: This afternoon, the Nationals selected the contract of right-hander Rafael Martin and designated left-hander Xavier Cedeno for assignment.

Martin, signed out of the Mexican Winter League, had a strong 2014 campaign across three levels of the Nats' system (high Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A). He went 3-2, with a 1.39 ERA and 11 saves last season. This will be his first major league stint.

For the Nationals
Yunel Escobar 3B
Jayson Werth LF
Bryce Harper RF
Ryan Zimmerman 1B
Clint Robinson DH
Wilson Ramos C
Ian Desmond SS
Danny Espinosa 2B
Michael A. Taylor CF

Stephen Strasburg RHP

For the Red Sox
Mookie Betts CF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
David Ortiz DH
Hanley Ramirez LF
Pablo Sandoval 3B
Mike Napoli 1B
Daniel Nava RF
Ryan Hanigan C
Brock Holt SS

Justin Masterson RHP