Washington Nationals’ lineup for finale with the New York Mets in D.C.

Davey Martinez’s club keeps fighting, coming back from early deficits, but eventually falling a bit short. Saturday afternoon, they rallied from a 9-0 deficit before losing 11-9, and Sunday in D.C. the Washington Nationals were behind 4-0 and 6-3, but they rallied to tie it at 6-6 but lost 13-6 in the end. They’ve lost eight of their last ten, and currently sit in fifth place in the NL East. Martinez likes the fight if not the ultimate result.

“I think they’re taking every at bat the best they can and they’re playing well. I mean, they really are,” he said.

“We’re down in the first inning, we come back, we fall down again, we come back and tie the game, that’s just a testament to the will power and what these guys are doing. They don’t give up, and it was a very fun game in the seventh, eighth inning, and then all of a sudden things just blew up.”

A six-run ninth put the game completely out of reach. There’s one more to play in the five-game long weekend series with the Mets this afternoon.

“But like I said, I love the way the guys are playing. They’re playing with a lot of heart. I know they want to win these games, but they’re not giving up and they’re playing hard, so that’s awesome to see.”

It’s also nice to see players take advantage of the opportunities the Nationals’ reboot has provided.

Lane Thomas, for example, struggled for a few seasons in St. Louis, and was playing down at Triple-A in the Cardinals’ system when he was traded to the Nationals for Jon Lester, and in 19 games since he was called back up to the majors, he’s 22 for 67 (.328/.403/.567) with five doubles and three home runs, the second and third in his first at bats leading off over his last two games.

“He’s getting an opportunity to play and he’s doing well. He’s doing really well. Talked to him a little bit on the bench about with two strikes, two-strike approach, and hitting the ball the other way, and comes up there and he did it, and it was kind of funny, he came up to me on the bench and he goes, ‘How’s that?’ And I said, ‘Perfect stay right there.’ But he’s eager to learn, wants to learn, and he’s doing well. The biggest thing I tell him, I say, ‘Hey, look just keep on playing the way you’re playing, play hard, play aggressive, and have some fun with it. You’re getting an opportunity to play and you’re taking advantage of it, and that’s awesome.”

A few wins would be nice too though…

HERE’S THE NATIONALS’ LINEUP FOR THE FINALE WITH THE METS: