Span given day off after streaks get snapped

NEW YORK -- After watching his 14 game-hitting streak and 36-game on-base streak come to an end Tuesday night against the Mets, Nationals center fielder Denard Span told manager Matt Williams that Wednesday would be the right time to take the day off. Williams had planned to give Span a day off this week anyway.

Asked if the on-base and hitting streaks got to him physically, Span said, "I don't think so. It's one of those things where you are going through it, don't realize it until it's over. When it's over, you realize how exhausted you are. You are going 100 miles an hour and you are trying to stop. You realize how far you have gone. I just felt today would be a good day to relax a little bit, probably not too long. I'm pretty sure I'll find myself in the game. Other than that, I feel good."

When he gets back on the field, Span has a personal goal he would like to reach. He would like to score 100 runs in a season. He has 71 runs scored entering Wednesday's action. He said scoring 100 runs is like a power hitter driving in 100.

"That's something that would be huge to add to the season that I've had this year," Span said.

In the meantime, with Span out, Michael Taylor received the start in center field and hit leadoff.