Washington Nationals’ lineup for series opener with the Philadelphia Phillies...

Washington Nationals’ shortstop Trea Turner extended his on-base streak to 12-straight games when he tripled in his first trip to the plate in Saturday’s game, and went 3 for 5 overall, leaving him 17 for 50 (.340/.400/.740) over the course of the streak.

Turner had seven doubles, two triples, three home runs, and five walks in those 12 games, with hits in 10 of the 12 and at least one extra-base hit in nine of 12.

Nats’ skipper Davey Martinez talked before the series finale with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday about the improvement he’d seen from Turner since the infielder came off a 39-game Injured List stint for a broken right index finger.

In 27 games since he returned to the lineup on May 17th, Turner was 34 for 117 (.291 AVG), with 11 doubles, three triples, three home runs, nine walks, and 26 Ks in 126 PAs, with the three home runs, and seven of 11 doubles, in the last month as he’s started to catch up to the rest of the league after all that time off.

“The thing with Trea is I’m not so concerned with his power, per se,” Martinez said, “... but more about him making consistent hard contact.

“When he starts doing that, because even when he gets a base hit, that turns into a double, can turn into a triple possibly, because he’s ready to steal, so the key for him is just getting on base. He’s making hard contact, which is really nice, and I’ve said this before, when you go on the IL for that long a period time, you need to catch up, the game is quick up here, so he finally feels like the Spring Training stuff is over, he’s back, he’s playing really well, he’s starting to see the ball, he’s starting to square balls up, taking pitches, and all that stuff, and he’s done really well.”

On Sunday afternoon in the nation’s capital, the 25-year-old infielder walked in his second trip to the plate, extending his on-base streak to 13-straight games, then stole second and scored on an RBI single by Adam Eaton.

“I think you’re seeing a guy that’s finally confident enough in that finger that he can go and play his game,” GM Mike Rizzo told 106.7 the FAN in D.C.’s Sports Junkies last week.

“And when he’s healthy and he’s on, he’s dynamic as any player in the big leagues and we need him to be healthy and playing well.”

UPDATED: Turner is back to leading off against Philly righty Jake Arrieta with Eaton batting second.

HERE’S THE NATS’ LINEUP FOR THE SERIES OPENER WITH THE PHILLIES: