WASHINGTON -- It did not start the season as an intentional goal, but now that appearing in all 162 games this season is within reach, Trea Turner wants to complete the task. Turner started at shortstop Thursday night against the Mets, continuing his streak of playing in each of the Nationals' 153 games this season.
If he appears in each of the Nats' remaining nine games this season, Turner would become just the second player in team history to appear in every game in a single season, joining Ryan Zimmerman in 2007.
"I mean, got this far, so might as well," Turner said. "Obviously barring injury, but I'd rather just complete it to say I did it. I think that would be pretty cool."
Including Thursday, Turner has started in 149 games this season, and in the four games he didn't start at shortstop, he entered to at least take a pinch-running or pinch-hitting appearance. If he starts the final nine games of the year, he will tie Alfonso Soriano for second on the list behind Zimmerman's 162 starts in '07.
This is Turner's first full season of games in Washington, after injuries limited him to 98 games a year ago. He is batting .268/.338/.403 with a career-best 17 homers and 40 stolen bases.
The Nationals did not plan for Turner to play as frequently as he did this season, but injuries to their middle infield this season, most notably to Daniel Murphy and Howie Kendrick, left their depth depleted and forced Turner to play more often than expected. As the season has wound down, the Nats have encouraged players like Turner and others who have played a lot of games to alter their pregame routine -- cutting down on extra grounders and batting practice to keep their bodies fresh. Outside of the usual aches and pains, Turner reports that he feels great physically.
The high volume of games has also not hindered Turner's play down the stretch. He entered Thursday riding a 19-game on-base streak, during which he owns a .362 on-base percentage with two home runs and 14 runs scored.
"He's been awesome all year long," manager Dave Martinez said. "I appreciate the fact that he goes out there and plays every day. It's hard to do these days. I talk to him and ask if he needs a day off. He's good to go, and he loves to play."
Eaton to host 2nd annual Rev Up the Park Event
Adam Eaton will partner with the Nationals Dream Foundation to present his second annual Rev Up the Park event, a charity car show held at the Geico parking garage at Nationals Park on Saturday morning. The proceeds from the event will go to the Dragonfly Foundation, a nonprofit organization located in Ohio dedicated to offering support to cancer patients and their family and friends while they are in the hospital.
"You buy cars to show them off," Eaton, a huge car enthusiast himself, said. "It's kind of an outlook of your personality. These cars and coffee events are basically an excuse to bring it out and show it off. I've been going to cars and coffee for a long time, so I had the idea to use it as a charity event."

Eaton has been supporting the Dragonfly Foundation since college when he and some teammates visited a young baseball player in the hospital who was struck in the head with a line drive, and doctors also found a tumor in his head during surgery. From there, Eaton built a relationship with the family as they started this foundation.
Fans interested in the event can bring a car to show off or just purchase a general admission ticket to enjoy the event. Eaton noted the garage in left field adds a cool photo opportunity with Nationals Park in the background. The event begins Saturday morning with about 200 cars already registered, with walkups welcome. More details are available at revupthepark.com.