Robinson gets curtain-call moment with homer
Longtime Minor Leaguer clubs game-winning shot for Nationals
WASHINGTON -- Since Ryan Zimmerman was placed on the disabled list, Clint Robinson has been given the opportunity to play often at first base for the Nationals, and he has been productive. Robinson is 17-for-61 (.279) with four home runs, 12 RBIs and a .371 on-base percentage in his last 18 games.
"Every day in the big leagues is a good day," Robinson said after having a big game in the Nationals' 2-1 victory over the Giants on Friday night at Nationals Park. "As long as I'm up here, I'm going to do the best I can to help this team win and, hopefully, take us in the playoffs."
After the Giants took a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning on a Buster Posey home run, the Nationals answered back in the bottom of the inning off right-hander Jake Peavy. After Bryce Harper drew a walk, Robinson came to the plate and hit a two-run homer to give the Nationals the lead.
Video: SF@WSH: Robinson, Gio on win over Giants
Robinson's best moment may have come a few minutes later when Nats fans asked for a curtain call, the first of his Major League career.
"That was about a big a shot of adrenaline that you could possibly ask for," Robinson said. "I was a little bit late with it. There were already two pitches into the next batter before I got out there. I was trying to calm myself down. I was messed up inside, but it was great."
One thing Clint Robinson can do is hit. The 30-year-old is a career .302 hitter in eight Minor League seasons, but he hasn't been given much of a chance in the Major Leagues. In 2012, he went 0-for-4 in four games with Royals. His only other cup of coffee in The Show came last season, when he went 3-for-9 in nine games with the Dodgers.
Robinson shows no signs of bitterness as to why it took so long to stay in the big leagues.
"There are only 750 jobs in the Major Leagues and there are thousands of guys trying to get one of them," Robinson said. "It's about being in the right place at the right time. ... Eventually that opportunity is going to come. Mine came this year. I'm trying to make the best of it."