LOS ANGELES — It is business as usual, Ian Desmond says. At least that is what the Washington Nationals shortstop would lead you to believe about his second-half hitting surge.
Desmond is sizzling since the All-Star break. The Los Angeles Dodgers got a glimpse of his power firsthand Monday night, as Desmond homered twice in Washington’s 8-3 victory at Dodger Stadium.
“I feel good,” Desmond said. “It’s just nice to get some wins.”
That’s your secret?
First baseman Ryan Zimmerman added more perspective.
“Ian’s been swinging the bat well the last couple of weeks,” said Zimmerman, who hasn’t been shabby either, driving in at least one run in eight consecutive games and hitting safely in the past five. “I’ve been playing with Ian a long time, and he’s going to continue to grind it out, play hard, and that’s why he’s earned the respect that he has with our players. I don’t think anyone is pulling for him harder than guys in this clubhouse.”
Desmond, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs against Los Angeles, is batting .315 (23-for-73) with seven home runs, two doubles, a triple and 16 RBIs in 20 games since July 20. That stretch helped him wipe out a miserable first half, including a June swoon when he hit just .161 and struck out 33 times in 93 at-bats. His batting average is now .224 overall.
He says it isn’t about him or his hitting. It is about winning.
“It doesn’t matter, we won the game tonight,” said Desmond, when asked about his two home runs, giving him 14 on the season. “This is going to be a big road trip for us. It’s good to get it started with a ‘W.’”