Rookies Turner, Difo step in and make big contributions in win

PHOENIX - When the Nationals took the field for batting practice Tuesday afternoon, Trea Turner was expecting to take grounders at second base, where he was scheduled to start. Wilmer Difo was already preparing mentally to come off the bench, perhaps in a key pinch-hitting situation or a double-switch.

Then manager Dusty Baker passed along word that Bryce Harper was sick, battling a stomach virus that required IV fluids. So Turner was going to need to play center field, with Difo getting the start at second base.

"Actually I was kind of looking forward to taking some ground balls and getting back into the infield," Turner said. "So actually I brought my infield glove out for BP and went out to center field with my infield glove. That's how the game works; you've got to be ready."

Likewise for Difo, who had played exclusively at shortstop in the minors this season, but was being asked if he could start a big league game at second base.

"Right before the practice started, Dusty came up to me and asked if I could play second base," Difo said via interpreter Octavio Martinez. "He said, 'I know you've only played shortstop,' but I said absolutely. I'll play shortstop, second base, wherever you need me."

Both rookies, of course, wound up playing significant roles in the Nationals' 10-4 victory over the Diamondbacks. Turner went 2-for-5 with an RBI, two runs scored another clean game in the outfield. Difo went 3-for-5 with an RBI, a run and a stolen base and made a couple of highlight-reel plays at second base.

Not bad production for a pair of prospects pressed into service to help a first-place club extend its lead in the division to six games.

"Hey, man, this is what they're getting paid for," Baker said. "And they're fulfilling their dream of being in the big leagues."

The 67-year-old manager insisted he likes nothing more than when young players contribute like this.

"I love young guys," Baker said. "Because I was a young guy; I was 19 years old in the big leagues. I've gotten criticism - I don't know where it came from - that I don't like young guys. But I like young guys that can play. If they can play, as you see, I'll play you. You need that young exuberance. You need their energy, you need their speed to kind of pick us up to ignite some of the older guys. So that's what they've given us."

Both Turner and Difo took particular pride in being able to deliver the way they did, called upon to play unnatural positions but coming through when asked.

"The main thing I try to do is stay ready for whenever I'm called upon," said Difo, now 5-for-10 with three RBIs since his promotion last week. "That's what I know how to do: To play baseball. So I prepare myself properly and just be ready when I'm called upon to start or to play at any point."

"It's huge," added Turner, now hitting .324 with a .360 on-base percentage, seven extra-base hits, 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 18 games. "I think everyone's a professional, and at this level everything counts. There's no time for adjusting or getting some games under your belt. You've got to win every game you possibly can."