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Escobar's steady bat ignites 10th-inning rally

PHILADELPHIA -- Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar is off to a good start this season. He is hitting .304, has yet to strike out in 23 at-bats and has a .385 on-base percentage.

Asked if there is a point of pride in not striking out this season, Escobar said (through interpreter Nilson Robledo), "I want to be in the game. I'm ready for anything."

Escobar helpted the Nationals take the lead in the 10th inning on Sunday in a 4-3 victory against the Phillies. With Jake Diekman on the mound and the score tied at 2, Escobar led off the 10th and doubled inside the first-base line to right field.

He then advanced to third on a groundout by Bryce Harper before right-hander Justin De Fratus entered the game. Seconds later, with Ryan Zimmerman at the plate, Escobar scored on a wild pitch by De Fratus.

"I tried to be smart, tried to be safe, because I know I have a good hitter right behind me," Escobar said.

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the Time. He can be found on Twitter @WashingNats.
Read More: Washington Nationals, Yunel Escobar