Espinosa caps off record-breaking series in a big way

Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa had a series. I mean, he really had a series.

Espinosa capped off a four-game run for the ages with two homers, two singles and six RBIs in Sunday's 12-1 dispatch of the Reds. The 15 RBIs are tied for third-most in a four-game series in Major League Baseball history. It is already a franchise record.

His week to remember almost assuredly will result in a National League Player of the Week honor. Over the last seven days, he has hit .423 with five homers and 17 RBIs. His OPS is a whopping 1.077.

"That was a series of a lifetime right there, when you think about a guy (who) drove in 15 runs," said manager Dusty Baker. "Boy, that's a good month."

"I couldn't dream anything like this could ever happen," Espinosa said. "It's unreal. It's crazy. It doesn't feel real."

One teammate who has watched Espinosa go through the ups and downs of playing and not playing, injury slowdown or position block is right-hander Stephen Strasburg. He remembers Espinosa back in the days while with San Diego State, when the shortstop played for Long Beach State, just 102 miles separating their campuses in Southern California.

"I've seen Espi since my freshman year in college, so we go way back, but it's just great," Strasburg said. "He's such a competitor, and he's one of those guys, if you're playing against him, you probably wouldn't like him, but when he's on your team you just love him and love the way he goes about his business. I'm just so happy for him."

"Playing every day helps a lot," Espinosa said. "You stay in rhythm. Your timing is better at the plate. You feel confident in your at-bats and what you want to do because of the consistent at-bats. That's probably the biggest thing."

Baker said Espinosa deserves what has come to him. The shortstop known for his sterling defense has worked tirelessly on his offense, too.

"Danny has come a long ways," Baker said. "He works hard. He's one of the first guys here. I have to urge him to get some rest sometimes, to stay home."

"I know I can grind myself into the ground sometimes but this is what I love to do," Espinosa said. "I dreamed about this as a kid my whole life and I'm not going to let this opportunity pass me."

Espinosa's career high in homers came in 2011 when he cranked out 21 in 158 games. He already has a team-high 18 round-trippers in just 83 games this season.

"He's amongst our leaders in home runs hitting in the eighth spot," Baker said. "People say, 'Well, should you move him up?' He's so valuable in that spot. There aren't many bottoms of the lineup that have the guys that we have that roll it around."

But it's not just about the home runs. Espinosa prided himself on Sunday's performance by working the pitcher and getting the pitch he wants to hit.

"Feels great. I don't know what else to say," Espinosa said. "It's surreal. It's crazy. I'm just out there having fun and I'm just staying with my work everyday and it's paying off.

"Some of my at-bats I took deep and just kept battling. I stuck with my plan up there and things turned out well."

Baker said he has noticed how Espinosa has simplified his approach. Nationals hitting coaches Rick Schu and Jacque Jones offer constant reminders of where his mind and bat should be with each appearance.

"Danny's playing great," Baker said. "He's cut his swing down some. He's fouling off pitches some, he's not striking out as much. Once you work on something, you gotta give a lot of credit to Danny, a lot of credit to Rick Schu, to Jacque Jones, who constantly remind him to kind of stay within himself. Once you start seeing some success with some things you might be trying anew, it makes it easy to continue on that path."

For now, Espinosa can smile a little bit, at least with this battle over. He can take a minute to savor. He's earned it.

"I'm definitely enjoying it," Espinosa said. "I'm just staying who I am and not going to go crazy. Just enjoy it. Things don't last forever and I'm going to enjoy the moment that I'm in right now."