Span extends hitting streak to 22 games

NEW YORK -- Nationals outfielder Denard Span didn't waste any time extending his hitting streak to 22 games on Wednesday night against the Mets at Citi Field.

Batting leadoff against right-hander Zack Wheeler in the first inning, Span swung at an 1-1 pitch and singled to left field. He would make it all the way to third base on a double by Jayson Werth, but was left stranded after Bryce Harper and Ian Desmond struck out.

"You get it out the way early," Span said after the Nationals blanked the Mets, 3-0. "I try to do it the earliest I can, so I can get more into the game and not think about a hitting streak."

During the hitting streak, Span is 36-for-92 [.391] with two home runs and seven RBIs. The Nationals are 16-6 during that span.

"Once I got going and Jayson Werth got going, the whole team is starting to play better," Span said. "I take pride in being a leadoff hitter and getting things going, I'm just happy that I've been able start the game off the right way for the last month or so."