Lombardozzi always ready when Nats call his name

NEW YORK -- Infielder Steve Lombardozzi is always ready to play, and he proved it once again when second baseman Danny Espinosa went down with a hand injury last week.

During his four games at second base, Lombardozzi went 7-for-21 (.333) with three RBIs. Asked how he is able to produce even though he is coming off the bench, Lombardozzi said: "I don't know the exact formula, but the one thing I've been trying to do is ... get extra work, especially hitting-wise and doing drill work. I'm hitting in the cage, keeping my swing, mechanics-wise, in order to stay sharp. ... I'm trying to do whatever I can to stay sharp without playing."

Lombardozzi credits his success to his father, Steve Sr., a former Major League infielder, and teammates Chad Tracy and Roger Bernadina. Lombardozzi always talks to Tracy and Bernadina about how to prepare for a game while on the bench.

"There is nobody else really better to talk to because they have been through it," Lombardozzi said.

General manager Mike Rizzo and manager Davey Johnson have often said that Lombardozzi is an everyday player. Lombardozzi admits that he's frustrated sometimes that he is on the bench and is aware that a lot of fans would like to see him play every day at second base.

"We all want to play, everybody on this team wants to play. Yes, I want to be a starter, but I have to be ready when my name is called," Lombardozzi said. "That's my personal feelings and I know I can be an everyday guy. But the bottom line is, it's not about me, it's not about another guy. It's about the whole team. We are in it to win a World Series. That's the bottom line. So there is a bigger picture. Again, I have to be ready when my name is called."