Depth Chart

LaRoche is batting .382 (21 for 55) with two doubles, four home runs, nine walks, nine runs and 12 RBI during his hitting streak.

"I think he's a little beat up right now," Johnson said, per MLB.com. "I hate to just sit him out, but he's certainly not doing things he knows he's capable of doing. So it's frustrating for him and he feels like he's letting everybody down. But he's trying to do his best. Sometimes just getting away from it a little bit helps."

Johnson said he's "surprised" Espinosa hasn't taken a step forward this season, but he's confident the 26-year-old infielder will turn it around.

"How you handle adversity is a large part of your success," Johnson said. "We'll get through this. Coming in this year I felt like Danny was a key guy, and if he started doing the things that he's capable of doing, it could make the year a whole lot of fun. I still feel that way."

Desmond's batting average has declined from .300 to .268.

Suzuki is batting .303 (10 for 33) with one double, two RBI, two runs and two walks in his last 10 games (nine starts).

Strasburg pitched seven strong inning in the game, the third time in his last four starts he has gone at least seven innings. He held the Giants to just one run on five hits and three walks while striking out seven batters. He had nine groundball outs to just four fly ball outs, and allowed only singles in the outing.

Unfortunately, his strong effort was wasted, as the Nationals' bullpen allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings, in a 10-inning, 4-2 loss. Strasburg remains 2-5 on the season, with a 2.66 ERA.

Strasburg will try to get back on the winning side in his next outing, scheduled for Monday against the Rays. 

Soriano entered the ninth inning of the game with a 2-1 lead and promptly allowed an infield single to let the tying run on base. He got the next two batters out and seemed to be on his way to the save, before allowing a game-tying triple to Gregor Blanco.

Soriano finished the inning without any more damage, but he blew his third save in 15 appearances. The Nationals would lose the game, 4-2, in 10 innings. Soriano has a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings of work. 

Duke (0-1) took the defeat as he allowed four earned runs on seven hits and no walks spanning just 3 1/3 innings before giving way to Craig Stammen. He struck out just one and threw 58 pitches. 

The 30-year-old has made 10 appearances this season for Washington but this was his first as a starter. It is also likely his last for a while. His ERA is now at 8.84 on the year with a 1.80 WHIP. 

The 20-year-old went 0 for 4 with a strikeout in his first game since May 17. He's batting .288 on the year with 11 homers and 22 RBI. He's also struck out 26 times.