It took 81 games — exactly half the season — but the Washington Nationals have hoisted themselves above the .500 mark with their latest win at Detroit.
The Nationals have not had a winning record since being 9-8 on April 18. But with their current four-game winning streak, they’ve dragged themselves all the way back up the standings after sitting at a dismal 19-31 through their first 50 games.
Washington also has gone 9-2 in its last 11 contests and 12-5 in its last 17.
Once neck-and-neck with the Miami Marlins for last in the National League East, the Nationals have now passed the New York Mets (37-46) for third in the division. They trail the division-leading Atlanta Braves by seven games and the second-place Philadelphia Phillies by just 1½ games.
After the Nationals went a confounding 2-10 in Max Scherzer’s first 12 starts, they have won five straight games the two-time Cy Young winner has taken the mound. And Washington’s batting order has finally returned to full health, with first baseman Ryan Zimmerman the last injured player to rejoin the lineup Friday.
After they finish this series against Detroit (26-51), the Nationals get two more cellar-dwelling opponents at home in the form of the Marlins (31-49) and the Kansas City Royals (28-54), giving Washington a chance to continue to pile up some wins before the All-Star break.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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