Taylor continues sizzling offensive spring with three-hit night (Nats win 11-1)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Nationals 11, Braves 1

Recap: Tanner Roark went four innings, becoming the first Nats pitcher to work that deep into a game this spring. He allowed a run on three hits with no walks and three strikeouts. The offense came alive behind Michael A. Taylor and Clint Robinson. Taylor had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and Robinson slammed a long two-run homer to right. Stephen Drew drove in three runs. Tyler Moore also homered.

Need to know: While some managers replace a player or two at a time during spring training games, new Nats skipper Dusty Baker prefers wholesale changes. Chris Bostick pinch-hit in the top of the fifth for Trea Turner, and in the bottom of the frame, there were nine new Nationals on the field.

On deck: Sunday, vs. Cardinals in Viera, 1:05 p.m. on MASN
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - It would take a collapse of monumental proportions for Michael A. Taylor not to make the Nationals' 25-man roster. But he seems insistent on making things happily difficult for the Nationals, who may have to reconsider whether Taylor fits best as a fourth outfielder or whether he can crack the starting lineup.

Jayson Werth and his $21 million contract are in left field, new addition Ben Revere is pegged as the leadoff hitter and center fielder, and reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper is in right. There doesn't seem to be a starting job for Taylor, but you wouldn't know it by the way he's heating up at the plate.

Taylor went 3-for-3 Saturday night against the Braves, lifting his Grapefruit League average to .444, and drove in a run, his third of the spring. Two of the hits were well-struck doubles, carbon copy drives to left-center in the second and fourth innings.

As is his style, Taylor was soft-spoken when discussing what's working for him at the plate. But he did sound like a more confident hitter when talking about an approach that's proven successful.

"Right now, I feel nice and slow at the plate, so I think that's a good place to be," he said. "It gives me more time to recognize the pitch."

Taylor also made the defensive play of the game in support of starting pitcher Tanner Roark, circling a line drive and timing his dive in center field to rob Gordon Beckham of a hit to end the second.

"Any time I can go out there and help the team and help Tanner on the mound tonight, go out there and try to take a hit away, it's a good thing," he said.