Nationals showing ability to connect with two-out base hits and runners on base

During his media availability before Tuesday's game, Nationals manager Matt Williams was asked about the team building confidence in its offense after winning six of seven games.

The Nationals have been able to win these games in a variety of ways, whether it be a late-inning comeback or grinding out a one-run lead for innings on end.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Nats scored only two runs, but won each game in New York against the Mets.

Last week, the current streak started with a comeback from 10-2 deficit in Atlanta, turning that difficult start into a 13-12 win on a Dan Uggla three-run homer.

Then on Monday, they did it again under different circumstances. Down 1-0, 2-1 and 4-2, they came back each time and finally took out the Marlins bullpen to win it 6-4 with four runs in the eighth.

"I think it's about executing," Williams said. "When you look at last night, the prime at-bats last night came with two out. So Jayson (Werth's) hit, with two out, to score the run. Granted, (Ian Desmond) hit the big homer, but you're not going to rely on that every day. You simply can't or your going to be extremely disappointed because it just doesn't happen.

"But the key at-bats were Tyler (Moore) and Denard (Span). Tyler, in a tie game, getting on base. Denard getting a pitch that he could handle, knowing that the first baseman's holding him on, and that hole is open over there. That opens the door for Yunel (Escobar). That momentum within the confines of that particular game (worked)."

But Williams also emphasized the confidence these Nationals hitters have in themselves to believe, with good at-bats, that they always have a chance, regardless of the deficit.

"It also helps to know that, hey, we can come back," Williams said. "It's never the case that where you just mail it in. None of these guys do that, as evidenced in Atlanta. But you can't bank on it. So it's important to understand that we want to do those things early in the game too when those opportunities arise."

Williams certainly is thankful that his team found a way to make these comebacks. But if the squad can find a way to solve the opposition's starter in the first few innings, they won't need highlight-reel comebacks every night late in the game.

"We'll take it," Williams said. "We're not giving it back. It's nice to see them have success and be able to do stuff like that, but you certainly can't count on that every day. We want to start with that momentum early in the game for us."

The Nationals lead the National League with 55 hits with two outs and runners on base. The Padres are second with 47. The Royals lead all of Major League Baseball in the category with 59 hits.

The Nationals also lead the senior circuit with two-out base hits and runners in scoring position (35).

Williams was asked why he thought his team is so good in two-out situations.

"I just think it speaks to the kind of hitters we have," Williams said. "We have some veteran guys that understand a single is really important here with a guy on second base. Granted, you can go up there and try to hit the ball over the fence and sometimes you'll get that three-run homer or that two-run homer. But the majority of the time, you're going to make an out. And it does nothing to be productive for your team.

"But the two-out base hit is really important over the long haul. So if we can continue to do that with guys out there on second base, then we'll have a chance to win games."