Up-and-down start for Michael A. Taylor

Just days into spring training, the Nationals found out center fielder Denard Span wouldn't be available for the start of the season after undergoing right core muscle surgery. Immediately, Nationals manager Matt Williams began searching for Span's temporary replacement in the field and at the top of the order.

Rookie Michael A. Taylor quickly emerged as the top candidate. He led the Nats in home runs (four) in spring, while batting .323 and playing flawless defense in center field. Williams also batted Taylor leadoff in the majority of his 21 Grapefruit League starts.

So when Williams revealed his opening day lineup card, it was not a shock to see Taylor's name at the top of the order. The 23-year-old responded right away by hitting safely in the first five games of the season. He hit a rough patch last weekend in Philly that carried into Monday's opener in Boston, where he went 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts.

Williams decided to move him out of the leadoff spot, dropping him all the way to the bottom of the order. In his past three games since, Taylor is 5-for-10 with a homer, double, triple and five RBIs.

His fifth-inning homer last night off Phillies starter Cole Hamels was his second of the year and pushed the Nats out in front for good in the victory.

"He got ahead in the count and got a pitch that probably wasn't a strike - up, center of the plate," said Williams. "If he can get ahead in the count and stay off of bad pitches, then he has opportunity for success. I just think he's doing fine, doing just fine."

Strikeouts have been the concern for Taylor early in his career. He had 144 of them last season between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. He spent most of spring training improving his two-strike approach and trying to attack earlier in at-bats. But the strikeouts are still there. His 14 in 29 at-bats are second on the team to right fielder Bryce Harper. But they might be far outweighed by the team-leading 22 total bases and the eight RBIs that Taylor has produced.

"He's good," said left fielder Jayson Werth. "He's a young player. You know he's kinda been fast-tracked a little bit. He runs good routes. He's smooth. He's got power, obviously. But he's young. I think as he plays, he'll continue to get some polish on."

Surprisingly, Taylor's biggest issue has been defensively in center field. Fenway Park was an adventure for him. Sun, wind, lack of communication - you name it - resulted in would-be easy outs turned into doubles, triples and eventually unnecessary runs.

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz hit a rocket right at Taylor in the third inning last night. Taylor seemed to have a beat on the ball but couldn't haul it in as it banged off the heel of his glove.

"I'm not gonna even tell you what happened because it will sound like an excuse," said Taylor. "I just dropped it. Honestly, there's no excuse for what happened out there (last night) or the last few nights. It's inexcusable."

Taylor may have taken his frustrations out on Hamels with his fifth-inning blast that helped get the run back. But after the game, only the drop was on his mind.

"It's nice to get that hit. Didn't make me feel any better," said Taylor.

The Nats offense has finally arrived the past three days with 22 runs crossing the plate. Taylor's hot bat has been one of the key ingredients to the scoreboard explosion.

"I think things are starting to get rolling right now," said Taylor. "The pitching has been there the whole time; guys are starting to swing it. So it'll be fun to see what happens."

Williams will be soon faced with some tough decisions. It appears Span is closing in on returning from the disabled list. He went 3-for-4 with a home run in a rehab game at low Single-A Hagerstown last night.

Once Span rejoins the team, he figures to start right away in center field and assume his normal leadoff spot in the order.

Taylor could still get a decent amount of at-bats and as a pinch-hitter, where he provides some legitimate power off the bench, and can spell Span or Werth if either needs a day off.