SAN DIEGO -- When the Nationals began the season, they intended on using Michael Taylor as their fourth outfielder, before an Opening Day injury to Ben Revere forced Taylor into the lineup every day. Taylor struggled, hitting .186 when Revere returned from the DL, and Taylor resumed his reserve role at the beginning of May.
But since then, Taylor has been one of the Nationals' most productive players. He went 4-for-4 with a pair of solo homers in Sunday afternoon's 6-3 loss to the Padres. It was his first career multihomer game, and he matched a career high with his four hits.