Murphy setting records as he stings former team

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

September 13, 2016, 4:49am

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Second baseman Daniel Murphy collected a pair of hits early Monday night, beginning the Nats' 8-1 victory over the Mets with a single and then following up with a double in his second at-bat. He finished 3-for-5 and is now hitting .347.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Murphy now has a hit in all 17 games the Nationals have played against the Mets this season. Murphy tied three players who have had a 17-game hitting streak against the Mets: Rennie Stennett (1974), Luis Castillo (2002) and Dee Gordon (2015).

This season against his former team, Murphy is batting .412 (28-for-68) with five doubles, seven home runs, 21 RBIs, four walks, and 13 runs scored.

It cannot be repeated enough what an offseason signing Murphy was, especially with the way he has been able to hurt his former team's chances of winning the division again.

Third baseman Anthony Rendon, who crushed a three-run shot in the rout, isn't surprised with Murphy's production against New York.

"Not surprised," Rendon said. "He's Daniel Murphy. He's been tremendous the whole year, so it's been fun to watch and it's pretty amazing to see him keep it up throughout the whole year."

Shortstop Danny Espinosa was hit by pitch in the fourth inning, the 20th time this season Espinosa has been plunked.

According to STATS Inc., Espinosa is the 20th player in major league history to get hit by 20 pitches and hit 20 home runs in a single season and the first switch-hitter to do so. Former Astro Craig Biggio accomplished the feat four times (the most in major league history) from 1995-2001.