Nationals need Taylor to contribute offensively

The Nationals came from behind to drop the Orioles 7-6 on Wednesday night, scoring five runs and pounding out six hits in the last two innings.

Down 6-2, center fielder Michael A. Taylor charged up the rally with a two-run homer off of Orioles right-hander Alec Asher. It was his first homer since July 15, 2016 against Pittsburgh.

Taylor also contributed an RBI single in the fourth that plated the Nationals' first run of the night. He also smacked a run-scoring double Monday night in Baltimore.

The recent run broke up a dry spell over the weekend in Philadeplhia when he went just 1-for-14.

Taylor struggled out of the blocks in 2017. Without regular starts, he went 1-for-20 to begin the season. Then, in seven games from a pinch-hit in Colorado April 27 until May 4, Taylor hit .500 (10-for-20) with four runs scored, three walks, two stolen bases and two RBIs.

But now that he is getting regular starts due to the season-ending torn ACL suffered by Adam Eaton, his importance to the first-place Nats is intensified.

Similar to the last couple of seasons, Taylor is thrust back into the limelight with an opportunity to excel.

So Taylor going 2-for-4 with a homer, a run scored and three RBIs comes at the right time as he looks to maintain his starting spot.

"Mike needed that game," said manager Dusty Baker. "He's been struggling lately. That was a big home run that he hit. That was a big two-out RBI that he drove in. And he was in the eight-spot, which is a tough spot to hit in. But he rolled the lineup around a couple times."

Baker had said the past few weeks that Taylor would have to figure out the rough patches on his own, that no one else can stand in the batter's box with him. He has the speed, the defense and the baseball instincts to get rollin. Now all he needs is to stay consistent at the plate.

The Nationals want Taylor to succeed - he has made the opening day roster three consecutive campaigns. Previous injuries to Ben Revere and Denard Span have provided Taylor with opportunities.

Once again, want has turned into need.

"We're all pulling for ... Michael A. Taylor," Baker said. "It'd be big for him and us if he can start rolling."