Young and Lipscomb get rare days off in Fenway finale

BOSTON – After running out the same lineup for the first two games against the Red Sox, Davey Martinez mixed it up for Sunday’s finale at Fenway Park.

Jacob Young and Trey Lipscomb are getting rare days off today. Victor Robles returns to center field with Jesse Winker in left and Eddie Rosario in right, while Ildemaro Vargas takes over at third base and Nick Senzel serves as the designated hitter. And Riley Adams is giving Keibert Ruiz some rest for just the fourth game since returning from the injured list with a case of influenza.

“Jacob has been playing. He's just been beat up a little bit, so I want to give him a day,” Martinez said during his pregame media session. “Give Lipscomb a day and get Vargas in there. For me, it's about keeping all these guys engaged and keeping them fresh. Riley's in there today, Senzel's back in the day. But these young guys are playing really well. I gotta make sure I take care of them and that they're fresh. Here we go today. Try to go 1-0 today.”

Neither Young nor Lipscomb made the Opening Day roster out of spring training. But both were early call-ups and have been getting the majority of the playing time in their respective positions. Young has played in 30 of the Nats’ first 38 games, starting 27 of them. Lipscomb has played in 29 games, starting all but one of them.

Young is fourth in the National League with 12 stolen bases and started his career a perfect 25-for-25 in stolen base attempts, which is tied for the fourth-longest streak to start a major league career. He is also one of three current major league players to have at least a .275 average, 20 runs and 10 stolen bases (Trea Turner and Bobby Witt Jr.).

Lipscomb is eighth in the NL with a .333 average and ninth with a .415 on-base percentage in road games this season. He’s also tied for third among major league third basemen with two outs above average.

“They're both doing really well,” Martinez said. “Jacob last year learned a lot about himself and what he needs to do, and he's been playing well. And then Lipscomb, who came up, got sent back down, came up, really has come into his own a little bit here. He's doing well. He's taking his walks, he's hitting in the middle field, he's playing really good defense for us. They're getting better.”

* Martinez opened his pregame session wishing all the moms in NatsTown and his own mom a happy Mother’s Day. All teams across baseball will be wearing special pink-trimmed hats with pink ribbons on the chest of their jerseys. Players will also be wearing special customized pink gear, including socks, batting gloves and sweatbands.

“I just want to wish all the moms a Happy Mother's Day,” Martinez said. “Mom, I love you. Thank you for being by my side. I appreciate you so much. You're my life. My lifeline. I couldn't do this without you. So thank you so much. I love you.”