Dietrich not averse to being hit by pitch

WASHINGTON -- Taking one for the team is no problem for Derek Dietrich.

In fact, the left-handed-hitting second baseman willingly will accept a few bumps and bruises if it can help the Marlins.

Dietrich ranks among the MLB leaders in what can be a painful category for a batter. He was struck by a pitch on Monday for an eighth time this season, tying him with Neil Walker of the Pirates for the most in the Majors.

Dietrich has been hit so often, his teammates have asked if he is seeing the ball clearly.

"I know exactly where it's going," Dietrich said.

The way Dietrich sees things, when he is batting second ahead of Giancarlo Stanton, he will do anything to get on base.

"Anything you can do to get on in front of Stanton," Dietrich said. "That's my whole goal, getting on base in front of him. You know when he comes up, he's got a chance to drive in a bunch of people."

The knack for being hit happened again for Dietrich on Monday in the third inning when he was grazed by a Tanner Roark pitch with two outs. One pitch later, Stanton blasted a two-run homer to center.

Dietrich is doing more than his part to get on base anyway possible.

Marlins batters have been struck by a pitch 11 times. Reed Johnson is second on the club, being pegged twice.

Dietrich is becoming another second baseman who gets hit often. Philadelphia's Chase Utley has a history of not backing down from a pitch.

"He's another guy who stays in there always," Dietrich said. "It's always been what I've been known for. I'm always looking to get on base, walk, hit by pitch, whatever it takes."