Rendon and Espinosa keys to Nats offensive consistency

I had a feeling Anthony Rendon would feel comfortable back in his native Texas.

And he did.

Rendon contributed four hits for the second time in his last five games as the Nationals shut out the Astros 7-0. He also had two doubles and his forth home run of the season.

Rendon has also displayed his glovework at third, making more than a few great plays on shots to the hot corner.

Then there is Danny Espinosa. He went 3-for-8 in the series and also smacked a home run Wednesday. He is a well-known Gold Glove candidate at second base and continues to protect the defense from that side of the infield.

I have also noticed the defense has done a good job of tightening things up since last week's troublesome errors started to pile up.

Sure it is Houston, a team that doesn't have much in the form of firepower or lethal pitching. But you have to play the schedule.

It just shows some patience by general manager Mike Rizzo to hang on to Espinosa. Maybe he did get offers and maybe they weren't strong enough, but having Epsinosa and Rendon able to slide into second and third base is already paying huge dividends.

Nate McLouth and Kevin Frandsen can help protect the open outfield spot while Bryce Harper mends from his thumb injury.

Jose Lobaton has started to also get ignited offensively and has done a great job of getting to know each pitcher's tendencies to make their lives easier during games so they can do their job and throw strikes.

The depth of the bench is stronger this season. The reserves are starting to build some consistent at-bats. If they can provide some clutch hitting here and there, that will take some pressure off of Adam LaRoche and Jayson Werth so they don't feel like they have to do all the heavy lifting offensively.

Rendon and Espinosa hitting is a good way to end April. Now let's see what May has in store. I am getting back in line. It is only a five-minute wait from this point.