WASHINGTON -- Michael A. Taylor's performance the last few weeks has made it difficult for the Nationals to keep him out of the lineup, as he remains one of the team's hottest hitters. Especially impressive is his ability to create offense like he did in the second inning of Friday night's 12-2 loss against the Phillies.
Taylor won an 11-pitch at-bat with Philadelphia right-hander Zach Eflin, which resulted in a run-scoring double to plate Juan Soto. Then, Taylor swiped his Major League-best 22nd stolen base of the season to advance to third base and scored on a sacrifice fly from Wilmer Difo to tie the game.
"I feel like I've found that balance of aggressiveness and patience," Taylor said. "So I feel pretty good right now."
Taylor extended his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games and the longest active streak in the Majors. Entering Friday, Taylor was batting .436 with a home run, six RBIs and eight stolen bases during that span. His hitting streak also matches Trea Turner for the longest streak by a Nationals player this season.