Werth another step forward with solid at-bats in series finale

Big positive for left fielder Jayson Werth who has now played two games in a row after returning from a sore shoulder.

On Thursday, Werth went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the Nationals' 5-2 win over the Braves.

"He had four great at-bats tonight," manager Dusty Baker said. "Flirted with the wall a couple times and he's feeling better and you see Trea (Turner) is back, he has his stuff together so our next step is to get Jayson back to himself. And then the last step is to get (Bryce Harper) back. So slowly but surely we're trying to get whole."

Werth lofted a pair of long, high-arcing fly balls to deep center field, one which was caught up against the wall by Ender Inciarte and the other on the warning track, signifying that Werth is getting back to normal. He even admitted he still has more in reserve to eventually get to the point where those fly balls turn into home runs.

"Yeah, and the other thing is, there's still more in there, too," Werth said. "I feel like in another 5-10 days, those balls will go for me. The big thing right now is timing and pitch selection, and that's been good. There are a lot of positives to take from the last two days. I need to get into playing shape, get my legs going and just get rolling. But there's time, so it's good."

There is time, but not that much time. Already it's the middle of September. Having Werth back to close to 100 percent health is one critical piece as the Nats prepare for the Division Series which begins at Nats Park October 6.

"I don't' now, I feel pretty good," Werth said. "I had a little setback with the shoulder the first night back and kind of tried to play through it, probably shouldn't have. Didn't get the results, but I've felt good as far as timing and all that goes. I've got some time here to really figure it out. Hopefully everything will line up and I can be me again down the stretch and into October and be part of this team and help us win. That's my main goal, my main focus right now."

Winning pitcher Tanner Roark (13-9) had his assessment of where the veteran Werth is as he returns from the broken foot and sore shoulder.

"He looks very solid up there at the plate," Roark noted. "Hit the ball hard twice. He got a base hit in the last at-bat. He's putting together good at-bats and he's looking healthy."

Werth has played 58 games in his career in the post season, dating back to four games for the Dodgers in 2004. Last year against Los Angeles, Werth hit .389 with two doubles, a homer and three RBIs in their five-game series. Coincidentally, the Nats now face the Dodgers this weekend in what could be a preview of the upcoming post season.

"These will be exciting games," Werth said. "When you clinch as early as we did, it's good to have a series like this. It'll be exciting. Obviously they're a good club. We played them last year. It should be exciting. Maybe a little playoff preview. Maybe not. We'll see."

Werth back? Check. Now Bryce Harper needs to return. The clock reads 21 days before game one. Harper ran in the outfield Thursday, a good test for his left knee and calf.