ONE WEEK, FOUR WINS and a four-strikeout performance later, Manny Acta's lineup shuffle has produced mixed results.
Washington went 4-3 through the first week of Acta's flip, when he moved shortstop Cristian Guzman to the leadoff spot and put Felipe Lopez in the No. 2 hole. The Nats are averaging 6.2 runs per game since the switch when both players are in the lineup, well above their season average of 3.9.
"I want to see if Felipe can snap out of [his slump]," Acta said. "And I don't think Guzman's approach at the plate is any different if he's hitting leadoff or hitting second anyway."
Though the Nationals are winning, the shuffle hasn't significantly benefited either player's average.
Guzman — who was hitting .346 on the year before the change — was down to .325 after Monday night's game. He's 5-for-20 since the June 12 switch, but has walked five times.
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