Padres outfielder Will Venable homered for the second straight game Monday against the Nationals. He has seven home runs, with five coming in his last 14 games (13 starts).
Venable is batting .280 (14 for 50) with a .620 slugging percentage and .953 OPS in his last 14 games. He also has two doubles, four stolen bases, eight runs and nine RBI in that span.
Venable homered for the second game in a row during Monday's 4-2 win over the Cardinals.
Spin: Venable is taking advantage of the increase in playing time with Cameron Maybin (wrist) out of the lineup, but will likely return to a platoon role once Maybin returns -- something that could happen within the next few weeks. All seven of Venable's home runs this season have come against right-handed pitching, and he still hasn't shown any signs of being able to hit southpaws.
Venable went 2-for-5 with a solo homer, RBI double, and stolen base during Sunday's shellacking of Washington.
Spin: Venable has reached base in 10 of his last 13 appearances, racking up four homers, eight RBI, seven runs scored, four stolen bases, and a 3:10 BB:K ratio in 46 at-bats. The absence of Cameron Maybin (wrist) has allowed Venable to start in the Padres' outfield most days, but Maybin could begin a rehab assignment as soon as the end of this week. Nevertheless, Venable should remain an everyday starter for at least another week before returning to a platoon in right field with Chris Denorfia.
