20 Ian Desmond, SS

After starting the first 43 games, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond finally received a breather Sunday at San Diego, replaced in the starting lineup by Danny Espinosa. Since homering in back-to-back games May 10-11, Desmond is in a 2-for-24 slump (.083) in his last seven games.

Desmond's batting average has declined from .300 to .268.

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond finished with three hits for the second game in a row and drove in both of Washington's runs during an 8-2 loss to the Cubs on Saturday. He went 3 for 4 with a homer and a double, also for the second straight outing, to extend his hitting streak to three games.

Desmond's homer -- a solo blast of former teammate Edwin Jackson in the fifth inning -- gave him home runs in back-to-back games for the first time this season. The 27-year-old credited his power surge to moving up in the batter's box in order to connect on more breaking balls.

"It's just minor adjustments," Desmond told MLB.com on Friday.

Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond had a big night Friday against the Cubs, going 3 for 4 with three runs, three RBI and his fifth home run of the season. It was the first multi-hit game of May for Desmond, who was a triple short of the cycle.

Desmond boosted his batting average to .287 in the 7-3 win.