Desmond working on opposite-field approach

By Bill Ladson

March 5, 2014

VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond started Wednesday's 11-5 victory over the Mets and went 1-for-2, including an opposite-field home run in the third inning off left-hander Adam Kolarek.

Desmond is off to a fast start, going 4-for-10 with two home runs and three RBIs. Desmond has been working a lot with hitting coach Rick Schu, and the 2012 and '13 National League Silver Slugger Award winner is making an effort to hit the ball to the opposite field on a regular basis.

"He is doing what he wants to do. He is up there with an approach, and it's early," manager Matt Williams said. "He wants to be competitive on the other side of the diamond, just like today. He wants to be able to drive balls in that gap and backspin balls to the opposite side. He is working on that during batting practice, in his cage work. His work ethic is fantastic. He is right in line with what he wants to do."

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the Time. He also could be found on Twitter @WashingNats.