Washington Nationals’ lineup for series opener with Seattle Mariners + Dusty Baker on Nats’ offense...

Yes, the Nationals have lost four of the last six, and yes, they struggled to score runs on the recently-completed road trip, but even after the rough stretch, Washington is still leading all National League teams in AVG (.274), SLG (.471), wOBA (.347), wRC+ (tied, 111), and runs scored (246).

Ryan Zimmerman went 5 for 22 on the road trip (.227/.261/.318), with two doubles in six games (five starts). Bryce Harper went 4 for 24 (.167/.200/.292) with a home run, a walk and six Ks in six games. Trea Turner went 5 for 27 (.185/.185/.222) with a double over six games.

Dusty Baker addressed the recent struggles (Zimmerman still has a .362/.406/.724 line, 16 doubles and 13 HRs; Bryce Harper has a .349/.458/.678 line, 10 doubles and 13 home runs and Turner has a .236/.265/.400 line, nine doubles and four home runs) when he spoke after the Nationals salvaged the final game of the three-game set with the Atlanta Braves in SunTrust Park.

He started by noting that it hasn’t all been bad news. Daniel Murphy, for example, hit in all five games he played on the road trip, going 8 for 20 (.400/.400/.900) with three home runs.

“You’re seeing Murph getting locked in,” Baker told reporters. “Zim slowed down a little bit. Harp slowed down a little bit. It’s hard to say ‘slowed down’, they’re still hitting .350-something — but hopefully we’ll get Anthony [Rendon] and all the guys rolling again and we really need Trea to catch some breaks, because he hit the ball a couple times pretty good today.”

Washington (weather permitting), will take on a Seattle Mariners team that is beset by injuries, and currently in last place in the AL West after losing three straight and seven of the last ten heading into this week’s three-game set in D.C.

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR TONIGHT’S GAME: