Walk-off homer highlights week for Nats, Harris

Clint Thompson

June 22, 2009 10:38 pm

— THOMASVILLE — Willie Harris had a week to remember.
So, too, did the Washington Nationals.
For Harris, that’s what’s most important.
The Nationals, owners of the worst record in baseball, recorded a four-game winning streak last week. It was highlighted by Harris’ two-run walk-off home run that propelled Washington past Toronto 5-3 on Saturday.
“Everything went well. We won a couple of games. That’s really all that matters,” Harris said. “The team is somewhat struggling a little bit as far as ‘Ws and ‘Ls go. At the same time, we’re still out there working hard every day, trying to get it done.
“For me, to be able to contribute that way, it was huge for me, personally. But we still have a lot of baseball to play.”
Harris’ home run was his second of the year. It helped Nationals notch just their 20th win. The play was amazing considering his initial job was to move the runner from first to second base.
“We had different plays on for different pitches. Early on in the at-bat, we had the bunt sign on. The guy was throwing me fastballs up in the zone. Obviously, I’m not going to try to bunt one of those,” Harris said. “Then we had the hit-and-run on and I hooked one foul down the line that would have been a home run. After that, the manager turned me loose. I was able to get a pitch up in the zone and hit it out of the park.”
The utility player who’s belted 22 dingers in his nine-year career knew the ball was gone when it left the bat.
“Even though I am a small guy, I know when I get one,” Harris said.
Harris’ big week also included a couple of sparkling catches in the outfield, including a diving snag against Toronto.
Two nights earlier, Harris robbed the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez of a hit with a sizzling catch on the warning track.
“Everything is starting to come together as a team. We’re starting to get big hits. The pitching and the bullpen is coming around,” Harris said. “Everybody is somewhat doing their part. If we continue to do that and continue to win series, teams are not going to want to face us. We just have to continue to keep playing baseball.”
The Nationals continue their interleague schedule today when they host the Boston Red Sox. The marquee matchup may come Thursday, though, when pitcher John Smoltz debuts with his new squad.
Harris, a former teammate of Smoltz’s with the Atlanta Braves, is looking forward to the challenge.
“He’s a Hall-of-Famer. He’s one of those guys that’s not going to give in to you, for sure. He’s probably one of the most competitive people that I’ve ever come across, whether it be on the baseball field, playing cards or shooting basketball. Whatever it is, he’s just very competitive.
“We’re just going to go out and see if we can get to him.”

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