Taylor's numbers continue to rise since assuming everyday role

The caveats will continue, because it has only been 24 games and because he'll need to do this over a much longer period of time before anything declarative can be said. But in those 24 games since he took over as the Nationals' starting center fielder, Michael A. Taylor sure has done everything he can to make sure he can continue holding that role.

With another key home run in yesterday's 3-0 victory over the Padres, Taylor added to his growing resume. In 24 games since Adam Eaton tore his ACL and created an opening in center field, Taylor is batting .315 with four homers, 12 RBIs, a .351 on-base percentage, .543 slugging percentage and .894 OPS.

Yeah, that'll work.

So, what has Taylor been able to do to sustain this kind of production?

"Same thing: Just try not to do too much," he said. "Stay relaxed at the plate. Put together good at-bats. Stick to my approach."

Taylor had a particularly strong approach in his sixth-inning at-bat yesterday. With the count 1-2, Clayton Richard did what all opposing pitchers try to do with Taylor: Throw an off-speed pitch down and away and get him to chase.

Taylor, though, managed to foul off an 83-mph changeup, extending the at-bat. And when Richard then grooved a 91-mph fastball over the heart of the plate, Taylor launched it to left-center field, the ball landing in the red seats (nearly identical to the location of his home run the previous night).

That kind of two-strike approach is critical for Taylor to take the step necessary for him to continue as an everyday player.

"It's the same thing I've been trying to do the last three, four years: Stay relaxed," he said. "It's easier when you feel good at the plate to trust that. But to know that you can let the ball get deep and still put the bat on the ball. I wasn't able to do that my last at-bat. I kind of got a little anxious. It's just a battle every day."

In 37 overall games, Taylor is batting .274 with a .308 on-base percentage, .469 slugging percentage and .769 OPS. He's still battling his longtime nemesis - he has struck out 41 times in 120 plate appearances - but his recent success is only helping him in his quest to get over that hump.

"He's got some confidence, that's big," acting manager Chris Speier said. "Pitch selection is huge. The one thing is, he's being aggressive. He's got ability, as we've seen lately. He's done a phenomenal job."