Shark sighting: Bernadina starts offense two games in a row

Posted on: 2012-05-11
by Byron Kerr / Masnsports

"Left fielder Roger Bernadina's big bat has returned at just the right time, helping to ignite the Nationals' offense two games in a row.

Down 2-0 at Pittsburgh Thursday, Bernadina crushed a solo homer to cut the Pirates lead to 2-1. The Nationals eventually won the game, 4-2.

Friday, Bernadina taxed Cincinnati starter Mike Leake for 10 pitches in the first frame before blasting a two-run homer over the right-center-field fence to give the Nats a 2-0 lead. Washington rolled to a 7-3 opening series win against the Reds.

Bernadina showed incredible patience at the plate during those at-bats and has displayed a more thoughtful strategy at the plate, replacing his old, windmill swing with a swifter motion.

Later, in the second inning, he forced Leake to throw seven pitches before lacing a clean single off the curveball that scored Wilson Ramos and made it 4-0, Nationals.

Manager Davey Johnson was happy to see Bernadina be able to get that single after the roundtripper in the first.
"I don't want him to (be) thinking about hitting home runs," Johnson said during "Nats Xtra" postgame.
Johnson said they have worked with Bernadina on his approach, and they can see the difference it makes at the plate.

"His stride is shorter," Johnson continued. "He is quicker to the ball. He is a better hitter right now. I like what I am seeing there. I don't like when he jumps at the pitcher and takes a big hack. I like the short, compact (swing). He got a good base hit to drive in a run by hitting a breaking ball the other way. That is what he needs to focus on."
With Jayson Werth out for at least two months and now Bryce Harper missing a couple of games with the cut near his left eye, Bernadina's left-handed bat will be critical as the Nationals attempt to not miss a beat with the 25 players they have on the roster.

Consistent at-bats are what any player wants to show that they can indeed play, and now "The Shark" has his shot."

read entire article...

Roger Bernadina making the most of his latest chance

Posted on: 2012-05-12
by Adam Kilgore / The Washington Post

"The Nationals did not plan on giving Roger Bernadina another chance like the one he has right now. He was going to be their fourth or fifth outfielder, perhaps expendable altogether upon Bryce Harper’s call-up. But injuries have thrust him into left field, armed with another opportunity to convince his team that this year will be different than the others.

He is off to strong start. Bernadina has hit home runs in his past two games, and last night he drove in three runs to key the Nationals’ early barrage in their 7-3 win over the Reds. He used a more simple, relaxed approach at the plate. It is, again, only a start, and Bernadina knows what matters for his future is how he capitalizes. “I’ve got to do it more consistently,” Bernadina said Tuesday. “That’s the key for me to be successful in this league.”"

read entire article...

Bernadina, Espinosa ignite Nats’ offense in 7-3 win over Reds

Posted on: 2012-05-11
by Amanda Comak / The Washington Times

"After the Nationals‘ 7-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, the manager might have to come up with a new adjective. The Nationals offense, led conveniently by homers from Espinosa and Bernadina, awoke against Reds starter Mike Leake, tagging him for three runs in the first inning — matching their total in that frame for the entire season — and added on through the fourth.

“Everybody’s slowly getting in gear,” Johnson said. “Little successes build confidence and it makes it easier. You don’t put so much pressure on yourself. That’s what we need to have happen and that’s what’s happening.”

Bernadina battled Leake for 10 pitches in the first inning, finally smacking the 10th into the stands in right center field for his second homer in as many days, and quickly following Desmond around the bases. He also had an RBI single in the second. Espinosa wouldn’t topple the Reds‘ scuffling starter until the third inning, sending his first pitch so soundly into the seats for a two-run homer that right fielder Jay Bruce didn’t even turn to watch it go.

In the last two games, Espinosa is 2-for-8, Bernadina 3-for-9. The numbers aren’t eye-popping, but they’re progress."

read entire article...

Roger Bernadina 2 | LF Full Name: Rogearvin A. Bernadina  Born: Height: Weight: Bats: Throws: College: MLB Debut: June 12, 1984 in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles 6' 2'' 200 lbs Left Left N/A June 29, 2008