Nats' Ian Desmond takes brother-in-law deep

Poor Josh Roenicke. The next family reunion is going to be tough for the Rockies' right-hander. By all accounts, at most family gatherings, a big-league player should be the top dog at the dinner table and command the biggest steak off the grill. Roenicke, though, will have to settle for scraps, because his brother-in-law, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond has serious bragging rights.

After tripling off Roenicke on Monday, Desmond took his brother-in-law deep in the fifth inning of Thursday's game at Coors Field. This week's two at-bats against each other are the only plate appearances Desmond has off of Roenicke.

WATCH: Desmond's two-run home run off of Roenicke

Roenicke married Ian's sister, Nikki, in December 2010. He met her in 2006 when he was a minor-leaguer with the Reds. Desmond is from Sarasota, Fla., where the Reds used to spend spring training.

After Monday's game, Desmond was a bit reserved about the matchup.

"Triples are cool but homers are better," he told MLB.com. "Plus, we lost."

According to both players, they get along great and have competed in other games, such as basketball and pool, but hadn't faced off on the baseball field before this week.

"We'll argue about it, but I like to say I'm the better athlete," Roenicke told MLB.com on Monday. "Ian smacked that ball, I'm glad it stayed in the park."

He can't say that any longer, as Thursday's ball left the park.

Roenicke is the son of former big-leaguer Gary Roenicke and nephew of Brewers manager Ron Roenicke.

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