Baker on getting hit by a pitch and Rendon's leadership skills

Nationals manager Dusty Baker had some intriguing thoughts on a couple of game situations that occurred in Friday's 8-4 win over the Twins.

In that game, Danny Espinosa and Chris Heisey were hit by pitches.

Baker was asked before Saturday's game if Espinosa showed toughness on the part by being plunked and starting the next day.

"I got a different attitude about that," Baker said. "No. 1, you get paid to be tough. You get paid to play ball. No. 2, you better start trying to get out of the way. That's my attitude. The new dudes they think that they are turtles, they just duck into a shell. You don't have no shell. You need to get out of the way. You need to hit the ground. That's my attitude."

Baker said he has noticed batters letting the ball hit them more than they should. He said it's just not worth it in a long season to be "tough" and let yourself get hit by a pitch.

"Guys now are diving toward the outside part of the plate," Baker said. "Back in our day, we hit the ground or we ducked or you did whatever you could not to get hit. So you need to try to get out of the way. You ain't getting much sympathies from me unless you get hit in the head or something. You need to learn how to get out of the way. I appreciate the toughness and all that but that really don't impress me too much."

I also got a chance to ask Baker about something he talked about during Friday's pregame concerning Anthony Rendon taking it upon himself to go out and calm down starter Gio Gonzalez during his starts. It is one reason why Gonzalez has been calmer this season. I noticed last year it was a responsibility taken on by shortstop Ian Desmond, who is now with the Rangers.

Jose Lobaton said it is something that helps the catcher manage the game, as well. It helps Gonzalez and other starters slow down the game and breathe.

Does Baker hope that Rendon takes on that role?

"I hope so. I didn't exactly christen him as that person," Baker said. "But when one person leaves and somebody else picks up the responsibility. Him and Murph (Daniel Murphy) have both picked it up. I see Murph going a lot, too. I welcome that actually. That's a sign of leadership. I don't have to tell him."

Sometimes, Baker said with a talking hand gesture, he'll suggest someone calm down the pitcher.

"But most of the time, they take it upon themselves," he said. "They're grown men now, plus they've played a lot of baseball. No matter how old they are, they know kind of the signs. As a manager, I'm very pleased to see that."