Nationals health returning

Courtesy of wikipedia.com

The Washington Nationals are quickly regaining their health and their swagger.

The Nats broke double digits in runs for the second straight game as they defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 10-5 Monday. Combined with Sunday's 13-2 victory over the New York Mets, Washington has scored more runs over the last two days (23) than it did in its previous five games.

Bryce Harper returned with style in Monday's victory, as he launched a home run in his first at bat. Jayson Werth continued to regain his form at the plate with two hits and five RBI, and Ryan Zimmerman added a pair of hits and two RBI.

Having Harper, Werth and Zimmerman all back in the lineup should finally give the Nats the offensive boost they've been waiting for. And with Stephen Strasburg rounding back into form following two weeks off to deal with a strained lower back, Washington's pitching staff is taking on the same dominant form it had last year.

The best news for Washington fans is that the second-place Nats are still well within striking distance of National League East-leading Atlanta, which has gone 35-32 since beginning the season on a 13-2 tear. If the Nats avoid any more injuries to their star players, I see no reason why they can't make up the six-game deficit they find themselves in.