Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond trigger offense to start road trip

The Nationals offense showed no jet lag after flying cross-country to face the Dodgers in the opener of a lengthy 10-game road trip. Washington rapped 13 hits and poured in eight runs as the lineup continues to show signs of gelling.

The scorching bat of Ryan Zimmerman started the Nationals' attack in the second with a leadoff double ripped into the right-center field gap. Two batters later, Ian Desmond jumped on a hanging curveball from Dodgers left-hander Brett Anderson and deposited it over the left field wall for a two-run homer.

With Gio Gonzalez spinning a gem, the Nationals held onto the 2-0 lead until the sixth when they opened up a relentless barrage of offense on Anderson. Seven straight Nationals reached base on six hits and a walk resulting in five runs.

After Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper smacked singles to start the frame, Zimmerman ripped another double, this time off the wall in left. Rendon scored easily, giving Zimmerman RBIs in eight straight games, the second longest such streak in Nationals history. Of course, the 10-year veteran holds the team record, driving in runs in nine consecutive games in Sept. 2012.

Zimmerman was slashing just .209/.265/.346 with five homers and 12 doubles in 56 games before landing on the disabled list on June 10 with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Zimmerman has been on a tear since returning on July 28, slashing .333/.400/.729 with four home runs, seven doubles and 11 RBIs in 14 games.

"When he's locked in, you'll see a lot of balls that are lined low to right field," Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters. "He'll drive balls, too. For him, the key is to get on top of the ball when it's away from him, and then line the ball low and hard back through the middle and the other way. That's why he drives in runs. He'll pull balls, too, and pick his spots when he wants to do that. But his strength is back through the middle."

Desmond's line drive single to right was part of the Nationals' rally in the sixth, with the shortstop scoring shortly after on Yunel Escobar's groundout.

Then in the eighth, Desmond pulverized a fastball from Dodgers left-hander J.P. Howell, sending it deep into the seats in left-center field. The solo shot gave Desmond his second multi-homer game of his career.

Since the All-Star break, Desmond leads the Nationals with seven homers and 16 RBIs while hitting .277 with a .919 OPS.

"What I can see from the side is he's sitting down in the batter's box a little bit," Williams told reporters. "He's not drifting toward the pitcher. He's seeing it fine. His hands are lightning quick ... we know that. And if he can sit down a little bit, he sees it longer and it allows him to get in the strike zone. He's walked some lately, which is a good sign. He's swinging it well."

It will get much tougher for the Nationals offense the next two nights. The Dodgers send National League All-Star starter Zack Greinke to the mound tonight, followed by reigning NL MVP Clayton Kershaw tomorrow evening.

"It's been one of those years," Zimmerman said. "Even when I was hurt, I'm watching these guys, and we haven't missed many aces. If you're gonna get there, we gotta beat the best anyway. No excuses."