Offensive production has gone silent during homestand

When the Nationals returned home from a long road trip last week, they did so hoping for a sustained surge of offense that began during a three-game sweep in Arizona.

Turns out that series against the Diamondbacks (and their weak pitching staff) wasn't the beginning of anything, except a return to the offensive struggles that have plagued the Nats more routinely this season.

They did score five runs Friday night in a win over the Giants. But they've proceeded to score one run in each of three games since, managing to eke out a 1-0 victory Sunday but losing 7-1 on Saturday and then 3-1 last night.

That's eight total runs in four games to begin this homestand. And there's not simply one culprit. Pretty much everyone has played a role, save perhaps Wilson Ramos (who is 6-for-12 in these games).

Consider the offensive numbers for all the others who have started multiple games during the homestand ...

Anthony Rendon: 3-for-11
Trea Turner: 3-for-17
Ben Revere: 2-for-10
Danny Espinosa: 2-for-14
Jayson Werth: 2-for-14
Bryce Harper: 1-for-7
Daniel Murphy: 1-for-15
Chris Heisey: 0-for-7

That's a whole lotta nothing from just about every hitter Dusty Baker has sent to the plate in the last four games.

It's also evidence just how much they've relied on Murphy and Ramos to carry them throughout the summer. Murphy, the majors' leading hitter, certainly is entitled to a four-game slump. But the Nationals have to find a way to get production from somebody else when that happens.

And with Harper currently shelved with a stiff neck and Ryan Zimmerman on the disabled list with a bruised wrist, the challenge is only greater trying to find contributions from a lineup that hasn't been contributing very much of late.