If there was anyone who doubted if outfielder Jayson Werth wanted to be a member of the Washington Nationals, then No. 28 completely erased those thoughts and made believers out of them tonight in the Nationals' astounding 7-4 win over the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.
The former Phillies star went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run and a stolen base. From when he was first introduced to every time he came to bat or caught a ball, he was greeted by boos from visiting Phillies fans at Nationals Park looking to ruffle his beard. Werth took no notice and silenced the horde with a performance that is making Philadelphia question if maybe it should have paid for Cliff Lee AND Jayson Werth.
Too late, Philly. Jayson Werth has grown on D.C. and they aren't shaving him.
Other notable performances came from young Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (Vamos Ramos!), who went 2-for-3 with two RBI, second baseman Danny Espinosa, who was 1-for-1 with two walks and an RBI, and reliever Tyler Clippard, who perhaps had the most sensational game-defining strikeout in the seventh when he fanned Shane Victorino with the bases loaded and two outs.
Then, of course there was Livan Hernandez's six-innings of seven-hit, one-run ball with no walks and six strikeouts. He rose to the occasion tonight and completely put the ice on a potent Phillies line-up. He also had a sacrifice bunt RBI. Perhaps this old dog still has some tricks left in him.
The Nationals move to 5-5, have returned to .500 and are in a second place tie with the Florida Marlins in the NL East tonight.