Matt Williams on Danny Espinosa: "Resilient, in every aspect"

Yesterday's 4-3 comeback win is a perfect example to encapsulate everything that Danny Espinosa has meant to the Washington Nationals this season. Riddled with injuries all year, the Nats' list got even longer early Wednesday afternoon when Yunel Escobar left the game suddenly in the second inning.

Once again, Espinosa shifted from second to third base to fill in as he had 14 other times this year at a position he had never played in his life prior to this year.

Espinosa battled at the plate all afternoon but was 0-for-4 when he stepped in against Mets right-hander Bobby Parnell with two outs in the eight inning. With the speedy Michael A. Taylor on second base, Espinosa drilled a double down the left field line to complete the Nats' improbable come-from-behind victory.

"Resilient, in every aspect," Nationals manager Matt Williams said when asked after yesterday's win to describe Espinosa's season.

The 28-year-old had struggled mightily with his bat the last two years, combining to hit .200/.255/.326 with 169 strikeouts in 158 games. His lack of production led Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo to trade for Escobar in January to add more offensive punch from second base in their lineup.

However, with Anthony Rendon spending most of the season on the disabled list, Espinosa was forced back into everyday action early. And he responded. A revamped swing has Espinosa factoring largely for the Nationals. His numbers have risen to .254/.325/.423, and his 10 homers continue to trail only Bryce Harper on the team.

"I love to see it," said Ian Desmond, Espinosa's teammate for the last six years. "I'm really happy for him. I can't really put words on it. I don't want to say I'm proud of him because he's a grown man and I knew he was capable of doing it, but it's awesome. It's really fun to watch. To see him with a smile on his face is awesome."

It's hard to measure Espinosa's value in the field this season. With all of the injuries, Espinosa has found himself playing five different positons. Three of those - first base, third base and left field - he had never seen game action in before this year. And yet, the man Williams says has "golden hands" has performed admirably at all.

"I'm not looking for it or anything but if it happens, it happens," Espinosa said after taking over at third yesterday. "Just move to whatever position I need to go to. But it's not like I'm looking ... if this guy gets hurt, I gotta go somewhere. I just play when I get the chance."

Closer Drew Storen has seen Espinosa's progression since both made their major league debuts with the Nats in 2010. Yesterday, Storen watched from the bullpen as Espinosa's RBI double gave the Nats the late lead, setting up Storen's 29th save.

"You can't say enough good things about (Espinosa)," Storen said. "Defensively, he's unbelievable. He's the type a guy that will go up there and double or homer if you need it, but then also can lay down a great bunt for a hit. He's really a gritty gamer."

With Escobar likely down for at least a few games, expect to see Espinosa back at third base for the Nationals in Pittsburgh this weekend.