Manager Dave Martinez had a clear plan to get his team back on track in the aftermath of striking out 15 times against Jacob deGrom on Friday night. Less than 24 hours after being shut out by the Mets in historic fashion, the Nationals bounced back with a commanding 7-1 victory Saturday at Citi Field.

“We need to start scoring earlier in the game,” Martinez said.

To implement this approach, the Nats went with a lefty-heavy lineup against right-hander Marcus Stroman. Martinez plugged Yadiel Hernandez, who got the start in right field in place of the injured Juan Soto, into the No. 2 spot in hopes of adding “a little more pop in that lineup.” That “pop” turned out to be a 2-for-4 performance with two RBIs and one run scored. 

“Yadi’s always hit,” Martinez said. “He works good at-bats. It was good to see him come out there and help us win a game today.”

The 33-year-old outfielder, who made his Major League debut last season, set the tone for the day in the first inning. After leadoff hitter Josh Harrison singled and found his way to third base off a fielding error by Michael Conforto, Hernandez drove him in with a sacrifice fly to left field.

“It was very exciting,” Hernandez said. “As soon as I saw Harrison [get to third], I knew somehow, some way I had to bring that run in.”

The plate appearance was impressive from Harrison’s point of view on third, too.

“He can hit, man,” Harrison said. “That was not a bad pitch from Stroman that he hit the other way for a sac fly. Sometimes getting in the lineup, you stretch trying to get so many hits, when all you have to do is have good at-bats and that’s what I’ve seen from him -- having good at-bats, hitting pitches he wants.”

Hernandez followed up with a single in the third and he scored that inning off a Kyle Schwarber RBI single. The next frame, Hernandez plated Andrew Stevenson with a single to right. Hernandez was the spark plug for the Nationals’ 10-hit afternoon that gave right-hander Joe Ross a substantial cushion in his one-run, six-inning turnaround start.

“He had a good day today,” Martinez said of Hernandez.

The Nats recalled Hernandez from the alternate training site Tuesday after Soto was placed on the 10-day IL with a left shoulder strain. Hernandez made a strong impression when he debuted at age 32 last year, and he continued to improve in Spring Training. That growth has continued in Fredericksburg, Va., where Hernandez has been working on his defense, agility and speed, while staying focused on his routine at the plate.

“I feel comfortable and confident to put him out there in right field and have him play maybe two or three times a week right now,” Martinez said. “I haven’t figured out our lineup tomorrow, but there’s a good possibility I might keep him out there. We’ll see.”

If Hernandez's name is in the lineup, he’ll be ready. He didn’t expect to hit second Saturday, but when he saw the batting order, he delivered. It was a small glimpse into how after waiting this long to get to the Majors, he will step up whenever -- and however often -- he gets the call.

“It’s kind of hard to come off the bench and produce just one at-bat here and there,” Hernandez said. “But the more I play, the more comfortable I feel and hopefully the results will be there.”